Twenty-first century bioeconomy: Global challenges of biological knowledge for health and agriculture

Wield, David; Hanlin, Rebecca; Mittra, James; Smith, James

doi:10.1093/scipol/scs116

Cited by 34 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 23 publications

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“…Biotechnologies may also help transform organic waste into new end-products [7]. It is also suggested that the wide possibilities for application of bio-technology lead to a blurring of boundaries between traditional industries once the technologies approach the stage of commercialisation [35,36]. Since research is a central component in this vision, research councils and other research funding bodies become central actors in translating the visions of the bioeconomy into the actual development of the field itself [37].…”

Section: The Bio-technology Visionmentioning

confidence: 99%

What Is the Bioeconomy? A Review of the Literature

2016

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Abstract:The notion of the bioeconomy has gained importance in both research and policy debates over the last decade, and is frequently argued to be a key part of the solution to multiple grand challenges. Despite this, there seems to be little consensus concerning what bioeconomy actually implies. Consequently, this paper seeks to enhance our understanding of what the notion of bioeconomy means by exploring the origins, uptake, and contents of the term "bioeconomy" in the academic literature. Firstly, we perform a bibliometric analysis that highlights that the bioeconomy research community is still rather fragmented and distributed across many different fields of science, even if natural and engineering sciences take up the most central role. Secondly, we carry out a literature review that identifies three visions of the bioeconomy. The bio-technology vision emphasises the importance of bio-technology research and application and commercialisation of bio-technology in different sectors of the economy. The bio-resource vision focuses on processing and upgrading of biological raw materials, as well as on the establishment of new value chains. Finally, the bio-ecology vision highlights sustainability and ecological processes that optimise the use of energy and nutrients, promote biodiversity, and avoid monocultures and soil degradation.

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Section: The Bio-technology Visionmentioning

confidence: 99%

What Is the Bioeconomy? A Review of the Literature

2016

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“…Social innovations are also attributed a key role with regard to the promotion of sustainable consumption patterns [101,102]. The social sciences are generally perceived as under-represented in bioeconomy research, and more interdisciplinary research is claimed [103][104][105].…”

Section: Priority Setting In Research Funding and Involvement Of Stakmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pathways to Shape the Bioeconomy

2017

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Abstract:In view of the increasing depletion of fossil fuel resources, the concept "bioeconomy" aims at the gradual replacement of fossil fuels by renewable feedstock. Seen as a comprehensive societal transition, the bioeconomy is a complex field that includes a variety of sectors, actors, and interests and is related to far-reaching changes in today's production systems. While the objectives pursued-such as reducing dependence on fossil fuels, mitigating climate change, ensuring global food security, and increasing the industrial use of biogenic resources-are not generally contentious, there is fierce controversy over the possible pathways for achieving these objectives. Based on a thorough literature review, the article identifies major lines of conflict in the current discourse. Criticism of the prevalent concept refers mainly to the strong focus on technology, the lack of consideration given to alternative implementation pathways, the insufficient differentiation of underlying sustainability requirements, and the inadequate participation of societal stakeholders. Since today it cannot be predicted which pathway will be the most expedient-the one already being taken or one of the others proposed-this paper suggests pursuing a strategy of diversity concerning the approaches to shape the bioeconomy, the funding of research topics, and the involvement of stakeholders.

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“…The transition towards a bioeconomy is complex, involving several sub-transitions including: untwining the agricultural sector from the fossil sector; untwining the chemical sector from the fossil sector; converting the chemical sector into a food-health sector; and shifting the focus in the forestry sector from bulk to high-end specialty products. Such fundamental change processes tend to be highly contested [22][23][24][25][26], involve a great number of actors across different domains and will probably take decades to reach a new dynamically stable equilibrium. As such, we propose that the concepts and insights developed in the field of sustainability transitions have much to offer in order to understand the change processes involved in the transition towards a biobased economy.…”

Section: Transition Perspective On the Bioeconomymentioning

confidence: 99%

Transition Governance towards a Bioeconomy: A Comparison of Finland and The Netherlands

2016

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Abstract:In both Finland and The Netherlands strategies are being developed to switch from fossil to green resources in order to tackle the challenges of climate change and resource dependencies and to tap into the economic opportunities that arise. We investigated the similarities and differences in the transition process and governance strategies with respect to the transition towards a bioeconomy in both countries, using transition management as an evaluative lens. The research method involved comparative qualitative case study analysis through action research. We found that the governance approach in The Netherlands focusses on co-creating a long-term vision that informs for short-term action, on facilitating bottom-up regional clusters and promoting radical innovation through cooperation between vested players and frontrunners. Finland adopts a more traditional, top-down governance strategy, focussing on the shorter-term economic opportunities and incremental innovation that keep the overall structure of existing industries intact. We conclude that the Dutch government acts as a facilitator, while the Finnish government acts more as a director of the transition. We recommend that Finland's governance for the bioeconomy be improved by applying insights from transition management, while the Dutch approach runs the risk of being captured by vested interests.

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Twenty-first century bioeconomy: Global challenges of biological knowledge for health and agriculture

Cited by 34 publications

References 23 publications

What Is the Bioeconomy? A Review of the Literature

What Is the Bioeconomy? A Review of the Literature

Pathways to Shape the Bioeconomy

Transition Governance towards a Bioeconomy: A Comparison of Finland and The Netherlands

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