Innovative bioeconomy framework to ensure economic and environmental sustainability
The bio-based economy, or bioeconomy, means products and technologies derived from biotechnology research. Biotechnologies offer solutions to the world's population, food production and other environmental woes. Funded by the EU, the SAT-BBE(opens in new window) (Systems analysis tools framework for the EU bio-based economy strategy) project set out to describe, monitor and model the bioeconomy sector by developing appropriate tools. It also aimed to show how existing data may describe bioeconomy development. Work began by scoping and defining the EU bioeconomy, and identifying and analysing risks and uncertainties of bioeconomy drivers such as economic growth, policy measures, technological development, and research and development. Project partners designed a systems analysis tools framework to monitor, model and assess the evolution of the bioeconomy in the EU, and the socioeconomic and environmental impacts of the bioeconomy and related policies. It includes interrelationships between traditional and innovative bioeconomy sectors, including agriculture, forestry, fisheries, food, and bio- and non-bio materials, chemicals and energy. An accompanying toolkit was also developed using existing data, indicators, models and qualitative assessments to monitor bioeconomy development and various impacts. These impacts are measured with respect to the five societal challenges of the EC's Bioeconomy Strategy, namely increasing populations that must be fed, depletion of natural resources, impacts of ever-increasing environmental pressures and climate change. SAT-BBE introduced a novel framework that addressed and evaluated the short- and long-term challenges required for an effective and sustainable EU strategy. Decision-makers will be in a better position to deliver impactful policy strategies that help to improve the conditions for satisfying the bioeconomy's present and future potential.
Keywords
Bioeconomy, bio-based economy, systems analysis tools framework, bioeconomy Strategy
