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Sustainable Land-Based Bioeconomy Development

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A special issue of Land (ISSN 2073-445X). This special issue belongs to the section "Water, Energy, Land and Food (WELF) Nexus".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 March 2023) | Viewed by 35549

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Stefanie Linser

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Guest Editor

Department of Economics and Social Sciences, Institute of Forest, Environment and Natural Resource Policy, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna, Feistmantelstrasse 4, 1180 Vienna, Austria
Interests: criteria and indicators for sustainable forest management; forest indicators; biodiversity indicators; bioeconomy indicators; environmental indicators

Dr. Martin Greimel

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Guest Editor

Centre for Bioeconomy, BOKU-University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Peter-Jordan Str. 82, A-1190 Vienna, Austria
Interests: bioeconomy development and history; bioeconomy strategies and action plans; bioeconomy research coordination

Prof. Dr. Andreas Pyka

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Guest Editor

Economics Institute, University of Hohenheim, D-70593 Stuttgart, Germany
Interests: innovation economics; sustainability transformation; complexity economics; innovation networks
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The bioeconomy as a scientific concept was first introduced in the 1970s through an analysis of the economic process with respect to fundamental laws of physics, implying that negative impacts of resource extraction could be reduced by a circular economy with minimized resource throughput. This notion of the bioeconomy being closely linked to natural laws never caught up in political economics and was reinterpreted at the beginning of the new millennium as a political agenda for industrial biomass production in the EU. Following extensive criticism on having missed out on social and ecological sustainability, the EU revised its strategies as sectoral programs and inspired countries around the world to develop their own interpretations of a bioeconomy. A sustainable and circular bioeconomy is also a pathway to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030 because the bioeconomy relates to a number of SDGs.

Today, the predominantly academically led discussion has developed into a so-called “mixed-source metadiscourse”, being on a par with comprehensive concepts such as sustainable development or global governance, providing a broad narrative for a decarbonized economy.

As a common denominator, all bioeconomy development perspectives anticipate increased biomass utilization which, in turn, puts land use and availability into particular focus. In light of this conclusion, the aim of this Special Issue is to encourage further discussions on the concept of sustainable bioeconomy development by providing a backdrop through presenting the recent state of the discourse. Further, approaches to monitor, assess and report the implementation of bioeconomy strategies have also become ever more important.

To provide an account on current approaches and implementations, we welcome paper contributions in the form of either empirical research or conceptual/theoretical works on selected perspectives of a land-based bioeconomy through policy analysis, literature reviews and indicator-based monitoring mainly in the following categories:

Development of the bioeconomy concept;
Economic perspectives of a land-based bioeconomy;
Environmental concerns in a sustainable land-based bioeconomy;
Socio-cultural aspects in sustainable land-based bioeconomy development;
Transformational pathways for a knowledge-based sustainable bioeconomy development;
Monitoring, assessment and reporting approaches for a land-based bioeconomy.

Dr. Stefanie Linser
Dr. Martin Greimel
Prof. Dr. Andreas Pyka
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Land is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

bioeconomy development
bioeconomy research
bioeconomy modeling
bioeconomy monitoring
bioeconomy markets
bioeconomy policy
land-based bioeconomy
socio-ecological transformation
innovation economics

Published Papers (11 papers)

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Research

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32 pages, 831 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Navigating the Biocosmos: Cornerstones of a Bioeconomic Utopia

by Wolfgang Onyeali, Michael P. Schlaile and Bastian Winkler

Land 2023, 12(6), 1212; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12061212 - 11 Jun 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 5092

Abstract

One important insight from complexity science is that the future is open, and that this openness is an opportunity for us to participate in its shaping. The bioeconomy has been part of this process of “future-making”. But instead of a fertile ecosystem of imagined futures, a dry monoculture of ideas seems to dominate the landscape, promising salvation through technology. With this article, we intend to contribute to regenerating the ecological foundations of the bioeconomy. What would it entail if we were to merge with the biosphere instead of machines? To lay the cornerstones of a bioeconomic utopia, we explore the basic principles of self-organization that underlie biological, ecological, social, and psychological processes alike. All these are self-assembling and self-regulating elastic structures that exist at the edge of chaos and order. We then revisit the Promethean problem that lies at the foundation of bioeconomic thought and discuss how, during industrialization, the principles of spontaneous self-organization were replaced by the linear processes of the assembly line. We ultimately propose a bioeconomy based on human needs with the household as the basic unit: the biocosmos. The biocosmos is an agroecological habitat system of irreducible complexity, a new human niche embedded into the local ecosystem. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Land-Based Bioeconomy Development)

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22 pages, 5398 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Bioeconomy Innovation Networks in Urban Regions: The Case of Stuttgart

by Lea F. Stöber, Marius Boesino, Andreas Pyka and Franziska Schuenemann

Land 2023, 12(4), 935; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12040935 - 21 Apr 2023

Viewed by 1903

Abstract

For a successful transformation towards a sustainable bioeconomy, cooperative knowledge creation leading to innovations through research at the company and academic level are important. Urban regions are the centre of economic and research activities. The example of the region of Stuttgart, which aims to complement its mature industrial structure with new opportunities related to the knowledge-based bioeconomy, is an interesting case for the application of social network analysis to shed light on the dynamics of innovation networks to support the transformation of urban regions. As with smaller spatial levels of observation connectivity in network decreases, we find a scale-free network structure for the supra-regional network and a star-like network structure for the regional network, with two universities and one transfer-oriented research institutes at the core. While research collaborations beyond regional borders and across different industries foster knowledge co-creation, the central actors can be recognized as gatekeepers who dominantly influence knowledge flows. To potentially strengthen the resilience of the network, policy and industry associations serving as network facilitators can foster collaboration between periphery actors. The case of the Stuttgart region impressively illustrates the opportunities of the knowledge-based bioeconomy for urban regions and the complementary role traditional manufacturing sectors can take in the transformation towards higher degrees of sustainability. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Land-Based Bioeconomy Development)

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16 pages, 1321 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Ex-Ante Eco-Efficiency Assessment of Dendromass Production: Conception and Experiences of an Innovation Project

by Franziska Hesser, Daniela Groiß-Fürtner, Leona Woitsch and Claudia Mair-Bauernfeind

Land 2023, 12(4), 839; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12040839 - 06 Apr 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1403

Abstract

Rising demand for bio-based products exerts growing pressure on natural resources such as wood. The agricultural technique of short rotation coppice (SRC) to produce dendromass from fast growing trees has gained relevance to ease the pressure of demand for wood from forests. The European-funded project Dendromass4Europe supports the establishment of SRC in Western Slovakia and its biomass use for four new bio-based materials, in the context of a developing bioeconomy. Along with the development of the SRC and material value chains, eco-efficiency assessment is carried out to anticipate areas of critical concern and derive measures for improvement. Among many other assessment approaches, eco-efficiency assessment was conducted by combining Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and socio-economic assessment to optimize the whole production system towards eco-efficiency. An LCA study provided necessary data to assess the environmental performance. The added value and revenue results from the socio-economic assessment were used to assess the economic performance. The value chain of the moulded fibre parts shows the best eco-efficiency value, but only because its economic performance is comparatively strong. The lightweight boards have the least environmental impact but do not perform so well in terms of eco-efficiency. The overall eco-efficiency of the full value chain can be optimized only with a specific combination of all four dendromass-based materials within the whole production system. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Land-Based Bioeconomy Development)

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20 pages, 830 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Embracing the Non-Wood Forest Products Potential for Bioeconomy—Analysis of Innovation Cases across Europe

by Gerhard Weiss, Alice Ludvig and Ivana Živojinović

Land 2023, 12(2), 305; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12020305 - 21 Jan 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2956

Abstract

This article focuses on the potential role of non-wood forest products (NWFPs) which are so far largely neglected within forest-related bioeconomy research and policy. From an innovation system perspective, we look at the barriers for NWFPs development and propose how they can be supported. We analyse 20 innovation cases in Europe, based on the analysis of documents and semi-structured interviews with experts involved in the cases. Results show that there is no “one” innovation system supporting NWFPs, but support is given rather erratically through certain programmes from various sectoral or regional innovation systems (forestry, agriculture, nature conservation or rural or regional development). There is a pronounced neglection of the institutional system towards NWFPs, resulting in a lack of statistics, research, education and training programmes and focused support structures. However, our results show rich potential of NWFPs in the forest bioeconomy for private forest owners and producers. These activities can range from a collection of NWFPs for subsistence to collectively organized production relevant to rural areas. Most of these are product innovations, some are service or social innovations, while some combine different innovation types. From some successful examples we derive suggestions for how to improve innovation support structures. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Land-Based Bioeconomy Development)

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16 pages, 571 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Wood-Based Products in the Circular Bioeconomy: Status and Opportunities towards Environmental Sustainability

by Mariana Hassegawa, Jo Van Brusselen, Mathias Cramm and Pieter Johannes Verkerk

Land 2022, 11(12), 2131; https://doi.org/10.3390/land11122131 - 26 Nov 2022

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 3949

Abstract

The circular bioeconomy offers solutions to curb the effects of climate change by focusing on the use of renewable, biological resources to produce food, energy, materials, and services. The substitution of fossil products by wood-based products can help avoid or reduce greenhouse gas emissions over the life cycle of products. However, it is important to understand the potential impacts of large-scale material substitution at the market level. This study aimed to assess the role of selected wood-based products in the circular bioeconomy, the possible changes in their markets, and investigate which elements could ensure the environmental sustainability of these products. The demand for graphic paper has declined over the last 15 years, while the demand for packaging has increased. Cross-laminated timber and man-made cellulosic fibres have seen their global consumption increase over the last decade. While there are benefits associated with the substitution of non-renewable materials by wood-based products, there is still limited understanding of the substitution effects at market-, country- and global level. Some factors enabling the further uptake of wood-based products include initiatives that stimulate technological change, incentives to produce or consume less fossil-based and more bio-based alternatives, and the promotion and marketing of wood-based products as viable alternatives to non-renewable materials. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Land-Based Bioeconomy Development)

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18 pages, 1335 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Implementing Circular-Bioeconomy Principles across Two Value Chains of the Wood-Based Sector: A Conceptual Approach

by Filip Aggestam and Alexandru Giurca

Land 2022, 11(11), 2037; https://doi.org/10.3390/land11112037 - 14 Nov 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2722

Abstract

The wood-based sector has the potential to contribute significantly to the circular bioeconomy. This paper examines the potential for implementing circular bioeconomy principles across two value chains, covering five sectors: “sawnwood”, “bioenergy”, “construction”, “paper and pulp”, and “cellulose-based fibres and plastics”. The qualitative value chain analysis is limited to the material flow and demonstrates that a circular approach requires transformation across entire value chains. Implementing circular bioeconomy principles will require new business models, cooperation across sectors and companies, and the application of new technologies and management tools. More importantly, the results demonstrate that more applicable tools and methods are needed to analyse circularity. The results likewise confirm prevailing conceptual ambiguities surrounding the circular bioeconomy concept, such as the relationship between circularity and sustainability, which would need clarification. For example, circularity does not equal sustainability, nor guarantees economic viability for the wood-based sector. The paper argues that a circular wood-based system needs tailored governance approaches as there are no one-size-fits-all solutions. The wood-based sectors will also need to account for sustainability criteria and the natural limitations of wood (as a material) to close value retention loops. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Land-Based Bioeconomy Development)

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24 pages, 1294 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Unlocking Romania’s Forest-Based Bioeconomy Potential: Knowledge-Action-Gaps and the Way Forward

by Alexandru Giurca, Liviu Nichiforel, Petru Tudor Stăncioiu, Marian Drăgoi and Daniel-Paul Dima

Land 2022, 11(11), 2001; https://doi.org/10.3390/land11112001 - 08 Nov 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2089

Abstract

As national governments continue developing bioeconomy strategies, the forest-based sector becomes increasingly important. Romania’s forest sector can be at the heart of a sustainable circular-bioeconomy transition. However, despite recently launching its national forest strategy, the country has yet to produce a comprehensive bioeconomy strategy where the forest sector is properly acknowledged and integrated. Here, we discuss the potential opportunities and challenges for developing a national circular–bioeconomy strategy that builds around the forest-based sector. Methodologically, we build on qualitative insights from two foresight workshops conducted with 16 international experts. Conceptually, we draw on recent forest-based circular-bioeconomy literature, which we synthesize and use to complement the insights provided by workshop participants. Three main key findings emerged from this analysis: (i) Several knowledge gaps related to biomass availability, carbon storage, biodiversity status, ecosystem services, or governance arrangements persist. (ii) A circular forest bioeconomy must focus on regional and rural development, including both traditional wood use, as well as new wood-based products. Finally, (iii) the transition to a forest-based bioeconomy requires substantial investments in areas such as forest infrastructure, education, and labor force. Forward-looking policies can address these challenges by fostering new ways of thinking, collaborating and researching the bioeconomy. We anticipate our article to be a starting point for more informed discussions around the role of forests and the forest-based sector in Romania’s future bioeconomy strategy. Furthermore, as work around the implementation of the national forest strategy has recently commenced, the ideas discussed here could help decision-makers better integrate and coordinate national and European forest policies with bioeconomy ambitions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Land-Based Bioeconomy Development)

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31 pages, 5504 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Collaborative, Systems Approach for the Development of Biomass-Based Value Webs: The Case of the Acrocomia Palm

by Ricardo Vargas-Carpintero, Thomas Hilger, Karen Tiede, Carolin Callenius, Johannes Mössinger, Roney Fraga Souza, Juan Carlos Barroso Armas, Frank Rasche and Iris Lewandowski

Land 2022, 11(10), 1748; https://doi.org/10.3390/land11101748 - 09 Oct 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3124

Abstract

The diversification of biomass resources is key to the transition towards a bioeconomy. Acrocomia spp., a neotropical genus of palms, is an example of plants’ diversity potential for a sustainable bioeconomy. Acrocomia’s adaptability to environments outside rainforests, its specific fruit properties and high yields has generated the interest of researchers and entrepreneurs, triggering its introduction as a multipurpose oil crop. Developing sustainability-oriented and knowledge-based acrocomia value webs requires a collaborative, systems approach from the outset. Fostering an inter- and transdisciplinary dialogue on acrocomia through a participatory workshop with both academic and non-academic actors contributed to this endeavor. This allowed the identification of priorities, knowledge gaps, and stakeholder roles, and served as the basis for the co-creation of a research and development roadmap. Key steps for the introduction of acrocomia include intertwined technical aspects relating to the development of planting material, cultivation systems, processing technologies and applications, market entry, and value web governance aspects. A broad collaboration among scientists, the public and private sectors, farmers, and civil society, is required for the development of acrocomia value webs. The incorporation of sustainability and a consideration of context in the design and development phases are fundamental to fostering the sustainable performance of acrocomia value webs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Land-Based Bioeconomy Development)

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19 pages, 1011 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Role of the Social Licence to Operate in the Emerging Bioeconomy—A Case Study of Short-Rotation Coppice Poplar in Slovakia

by Christine Pichler, Daniela Fürtner, Franziska Hesser, Peter Schwarzbauer and Lea Maria Ranacher

Land 2022, 11(9), 1555; https://doi.org/10.3390/land11091555 - 13 Sep 2022

Viewed by 1643

Abstract

Wood plays a key role in the endeavours of the EU to establish a circular bioeconomy based on renewable biological resources. Today, forestry on its own cannot sustainably satisfy the demand for woody biomass. Short-Rotation Coppice (SRC) represents a possible alternative production system where fast-growing tree species are cultivated on agricultural land. Thus far, lacking engagement from farmers and public opposition against other bioenergy projects have hindered the expansion of SRC. At the same time, society does not consider wood unconditionally sustainable anymore. The Social License to Operate (SLO) describes the dynamic relationship between industries, their communities, and other stakeholders. The present study adapted a quantitative SLO model based on integrative socio-psychological relationship modelling and applied it to a case study in Slovakia. The roles of trust, fairness, impact assessment, and governance hold for the establishment of social acceptance were analysed with Structural Equation Modelling (SEM). The model revealed the perception of individual benefits as the strongest predictor for social acceptance. The average level of social acceptance was found to be between “Acceptance” and “Approval”. The results thus show that SRC currently must not face societal pressure in Slovakia. However, the SLO is not static and must be constantly re-evaluated. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Land-Based Bioeconomy Development)

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Review

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22 pages, 1259 KiB

Open AccessReview

Bioeconomy—A Systematic Literature Review on Spatial Aspects and a Call for a New Research Agenda

by Franz Grossauer and Gernot Stoeglehner

Land 2023, 12(1), 234; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12010234 - 11 Jan 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2548

Abstract

Over the last 10 to 15 years, bioeconomy (BE) has evolved to a widely accepted alternative to the dominant use of finite raw materials around the globe. One of the essential prerequisites for the sustainable implementation of this future-oriented economic system is the consideration of spatial framework conditions. This review assesses whether spatial aspects are addressed in the scientific discourse on the bioeconomy. Between 2010 to 2021, 8812 articles were published dealing with the thematic field of bioeconomy. Using a keyword list covering themes related to spatial issues, 107 articles were identified. It was possible to demonstrate that spatial aspects are rarely discussed and large research gaps are evident. These gaps relate, for example, to the development of planning instruments for the protection of agricultural land or the assessment of the influence of intensification of agriculture on biodiversity or the multifunctionality of landscapes. In addition, the social aspects of transitioning to a bioeconomy, the role of regional planning with respect to decentralised versus centralised models, and the influence of policy and governance to foster a sustainable transition process and to avoid land use conflicts are all topics which need to be addressed in research. Based on these results, a research agenda was developed covering these and further issues to enable a sustainable spatial implementation of different forms of bioeconomy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Land-Based Bioeconomy Development)

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24 pages, 1888 KiB

Open AccessReview

Forest Bioeconomy in Brazil: Potential Innovative Products from the Forest Sector

by Yasmin Imparato Maximo, Mariana Hassegawa, Pieter Johannes Verkerk and André Luiz Missio

Land 2022, 11(8), 1297; https://doi.org/10.3390/land11081297 - 11 Aug 2022

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 4338

Abstract

The forest sector plays an important role in the circular bioeconomy due to its focus on renewable materials that can substitute fossil or greenhouse gas emissions-intensive materials, store carbon in bio-based products and provide ecosystem services. This study investigates the state of the bioeconomy in Brazil and its forest industry. Specifically, this study presents some examples of novel wood-based products being developed or manufactured in Brazil and discusses possible opportunities for the development of the country’s forest sector. The pulp and paper industry plays an important role in the forest sector. It has also been showing advancements in the development of cascading uses of wood invalue-added products, such as nanocrystalline cellulose, wood-based textile fibers, lignin-based products, and chemical derivatives from tall oil. Product and business diversification through the integration of the pulp and paper industry to biorefineries could provide new opportunities. Moreover, biochemicals derived from non-wood forest products, such as resin and tannins could promote diversification and competitiveness of the Brazilian forest industry. Although some engineered wood products are still a novelty in Brazil, the market for such products will likely expand in the future following the global trends in wood construction. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Land-Based Bioeconomy Development)

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