The Bioeconomy to 2030 Designing a Policy Agenda


Book Description

Describes the current status of biotechnologies and, using quantitative analyses of data, it estimates biotechnological developments to 2015. Using other inputs, it creates scenarios to 2030.




Biomass, Bioenergy & Bioeconomy


Book Description

This edited book explores the three interrelated concepts – biomass, bioenergy, and bioeconomy – from the point of view of sustainable advanced conversion processes. It elaborates on processing routes, i.e., how biomass from various sources can be converted into bioenergy like bioethanol, biodiesel, biobutanol, and biogas. Chapters are organized into three sections – “Biomass,” “Bioenergy,” and “Bioeconomy.” The first section very much focuses on biomass-based global research trends and their utilization for future bioenergy options, very particular to microbial activities associated and their practically real-time challenges during lab to land approach. The second section deals with biomass-based applications like biodiesel, bioethanol, biobutanol, biohydrogen, and biomass cookstoves and their future perspectives and challenges. The past, present, and future trends of biomass-based research applications have been assessed and critically evaluated to make the gathered knowledge available in the simplest form for academicians and researchers. The third section focuses on biomass-based policies on implementation and governmental strategies needs a attention to make it smooth for social groups and communities too. The role and impacts of bioeconomy with biomass-based bioenergy options and applications are also targeted here. Sustainable Development Goals are addressed in this section to achieve three objectives (trio), i.e., social, economic, and ecological status, which are the need of the hour for bioeconomic security. Contributions of bioenergy to environmental security have also been addressed in this section, very particular to linkage of sustainable human development. This book is a useful compilation of latest information for researchers and teachers in bioenergy and microbiology. The book also serves as reading material for undergraduate and graduate students of environmental sciences, microbiology, and bioenergy.




Neoliberal Bio-Economies?


Book Description

In this book, Kean Birch analyses the co-construction of markets and natures in the emerging bio-economy as a policy response to global environmental change. The bio-economy is an economic system characterized by the use of plants and other biological materials rather than fossil fuels to produce energy, chemicals, and societal goods. Over the last decade or so, numerous countries around the world have developed bio-economy strategies as a potential transition pathway to a low-carbon future. Whether this is achievable or not remains an open question, one which this book seeks to answer. In addressing this question, Kean Birch draws on over ten years of research on the bio-economy around the world, but especially in North America. He examines what kinds of markets and natures are being imagined and constructed in the pursuit of the bio-economy, and problematizes the idea that this is being driven by neoliberalism and the neoliberalization of nature(s).




Bioeconomical Solutions and Investments in Sustainable City Development


Book Description

Spatial development is a discipline aimed at the protection of specific values and rational development by stimulating economic processes. Modern practices challenge developers to minimize the negative impact of urban development on the environment. In order to adhere to this policy, bioeconomical solutions and investments can be utilized. Bioeconomical Solutions and Investments in Sustainable City Development is an essential source that explores the development of sustainable city models based on investments in eco-oriented solutions by protecting and making publicly available green areas and by innovative investments with the use of bioeconomical solutions. Featuring research on topics such as bioeconomy vision, environmental education, and rural planning, this book is ideally designed for architects, urban planners, city authorities, experts, officers, business representatives, economists, politicians, academicians, and researchers.




Bioeconomy and Global Inequalities


Book Description

This open access book focuses on the meanings, agendas, as well as the local and global implications of bioeconomy and bioenergy policies in and across South America, Asia and Europe. It explores how a transition away from a fossil and towards a bio-based economic order alters, reinforces and challenges socio-ecological inequalities. The volume presents a historically informed and empirically rich discussion of bioeconomy developments with a particular focus on bio-based energy. A series of conceptual discussions and case studies with a multidisciplinary background in the social sciences illuminate how the deployment of biomass sources from the agricultural and forestry sectors affect societal changes concerning knowledge production, land and labour relations, political participation and international trade. How can a global perspective on socio-ecological inequalities contribute to a complex and critical understanding of bioeconomy? Who participates in the negotiation of specific bioeconomy policies and who does not? Who determines the agenda? To what extent does the bioeconomy affect existing socio-ecological inequalities in rural areas? What are the implications of the bioeconomy for existing relations of extraction and inequalities across regions? The volume is an invitation to reflect upon these questions and more, at a time when the need for an ecological and socially just transition away from a carbon intensive economy is becoming increasingly pressing.




Economics, Ecology, and Policy for the Bioeconomy


Book Description

This book demonstrates that a holistic approach to the bioeconomy is essential if it is to achieve its full potential in driving economic growth while simultaneously providing ecological, social and technological benefits. Definitions of the ‘bioeconomy’ vary but in general it incorporates the ways in which societies manage and distribute their primary or secondary biological resources for further use in everyday life (e.g. food, materials, and energy). The classical sectors related to the bioeconomy have therefore been agriculture, forestry and aquaculture, now extended to include bioenergy, biofuels, biochemicals, and other processing and service industries. There are also related new concepts such us the blue economy, the green economy, and the circular economy. This book integrates these definitions, sectoral analyses and new concepts into a fully rounded study of the bioeconomy. It is argued that the key aims in the coming years have to be the harmonization of public policies between different sectors, regulation of legislative framework for the bioeconomy, and clear communication of these issues. In particular, the book argues that a strengthening of the monitoring and evaluation of the impacts of the bioeconomy on society is an essential starting point. For this to be effective, appropriate indicators need to be established and defined for the monitoring of the effects of these resilient policies related to bioeconomy and their impact on local and regional development and quality of life. This book will be essential reading for anyone interested in the bioeconomy including students and scholars of ecological economics, environmental economics, sustainability, innovation, and regional development.




Comparative Approaches to Biotechnology Development and Use in Developed and Emerging Nations


Book Description

The development of biotechnological innovations is quickly becoming a globalized phenomenon as emerging nations are making major strides to compete with more developed economies. Though efforts to bridge the gap between emerging and developed nations have been successful, there are still many barriers that need to be overcome. Comparative Approaches to Biotechnology Development and Use in Developed and Emerging Nations evaluates the importance of manufacturing biotechnological products around the world. Highlighting a comparative analysis of public policies, technological policies, innovations, and marketing capabilities of developed and emerging nations, this publication is a pivotal reference source for government officers, policy makers, academics, and practitioners.




Bioeconomy


Book Description

This book is open access under a CC BY 4.0 license. This book defines the new field of "Bioeconomy" as the sustainable and innovative use of biomass and biological knowledge to provide food, feed, industrial products, bioenergy and ecological services. The chapters highlight the importance of bioeconomy-related concepts in public, scientific, and political discourse. Using an interdisciplinary approach, the authors outline the dimensions of the bioeconomy as a means of achieving sustainability. The authors are ideally situated to elaborate on the diverse aspects of the bioeconomy. They have acquired in-depth experience of interdisciplinary research through the university’s focus on “Bioeconomy”, its contribution to the Bioeconomy Research Program of the federal state of Baden-Württemberg, and its participation in the German Bioeconomy Council. With the number of bioeconomy-related projects at European universities rising, this book will provide graduate students and researchers with background information on the bioeconomy. It will familiarize scientific readers with bioeconomy-related terms and give scientific background for economists, agronomists and natural scientists alike.




Agricultural Bioeconomy


Book Description

Agricultural Bioeconomy: Innovation and Foresight in the Post-COVID Era presents recent advancements in biotechnology, exploring the optimal utilization of technologies to provide rapid and impactful economic recovery and sustainable resources in a future that will bear the mark of COVID-19. Understanding that there is a necessary balance between risk and reward, this book provides a foundational hypothesis as well as operational direction for addressing the commercialization and regulatory issues in a bio-based economy where agricultural output is at the core. By presenting adaptable practices to successfully establish and progress agri-based global bioeconomies, the book features a new paradigm focused on technological foresight and response to future risks and disasters. Key considerations include assessing and managing the urban bioeconomy, climate change mitigation, biofuels and bioenergy, GMOs, and employment generation. This book provides the solid next step toward future-proofing global economies using a combination of agricultural technologies and economic goals. Professionals and advanced students focused on the production of renewable biological resources and their conversion into value-added products including food, feed, bio-based products, and bioenergy will find this book useful. - Addresses recent issues emerging in agro-based economies - Empowers utilization of biotechnology to address worldwide ecological issues - Presents adaptable, risk-management approaches to the adoption of socially and financially valuable agri-based technologies




Agri-Food and Rural Development


Book Description

The agri-food and rural development world has experienced significant changes in recent years. The evolution towards globalized and highly complex food supply systems has been accompanied by growing competition, reduced state subsidies as well as concerns about quality, output and the environment. At the beginning of the 21st century, the agri-food industry is urgently searching for new solutions. Exploring these recent developments, Agri-Food and Rural Development highlights the latest research on understanding and promoting sustainable food systems. Featuring a range of international case studies, it investigates different models of rural development for food production, examines the implications for a sustainable future, analyzes future challenges, and suggests new strategies for future agri-food development in a world fast exceeding its resources. An ambitious new study written by a leading authority in the field, this book offers a vital new perspective on this important debate and is destined to become a landmark text for students, scholars and policy-makers in food studies, agriculture, rural sociology, and geography.