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Drivers and Pathways of Shifting from Fossil-Based to a Sustainable Bio-Based Economy
Date Issued |
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2018 |
Strengthening policy interaction and participation of all stakeholders are necessary for the development of sustainable bio-economy. Fifth driver is the need of the development of new technologies and processes, especially industrial biotechnology. This development is impossible without close cooperation between the scientists and business, and first of all at the European level. Advances in bio-economy research and implementation of innovation would create conditions for Europe to improve the management of biological resources, open up new and more diverse markets of food and biotechnology products. The statistical data analysis showed that since 2010 Lithuania has been among leaders of bioeconomy growth in the EU in all biomass production and fully bio-based manufacturing subsectors, also, has a good research and development potential in the field. Identified subsectors are closely interrelated, because several activities use a part of the same biomass, while bio-products of one subsector become biomass of another subsector. The pathways of shifting towards bio-based economy could be quite different, and they depend on the focus of technology, sustainability requirements and participation of stakeholders. The bioeconomy will contribute to a more sustainable future if certain requirements will be met. An internationally agreed set of criteria, indicators for measuring progress towards sustainability will have a significant impact on the biomass potential that can be produced sustainably. The pathway should not be too reliant on technology: social sciences should be developed and different societal stakeholders should be involved.
The main drivers of shifting from fossil-based to a sustainable bio-based economy are global, European and national. Using content analysis of documents and research articles the main global drivers, such as depletion of natural resources, increasing population, increasing environmental pressures and climate change, were identified. The content and case study analysis revealed that there are five European drivers of bio-based economy. Thirst driver is common EU bio-economy policy, strategy and action plan. Policy and strategy is based on the global challenges and goals of EU development. Action Plan is based on three pillars: the development of new technologies and processes, the strengthening of markets and competitiveness of the bio-economy sectors and the promotion of closer inter-sectoral cooperation among all stakeholders. Sustainable development of bio-economy in the Baltic Sea region is also impossible without coordination of actions between the countries of this region. Second driver is assurance of biomass availability and sustainability and efficient biomass value chain. The basis for efficient biomass value chain is using cascading principle, minimizing waste, using waste as biomass, replacement of one type of biomass by another, and searching for alternative forms of biomass. Third driver is the need to strengthen markets and competitiveness of the bio-economy sectors. Using public and green procurements, motivating business to market new bio-products, development of short supply chains and promoting exports for higher value-added bio-products are the complex means which have to be strategically oriented. Fourth driver is the necessity of close cooperation among all stakeholders – politicians, business people, scientists and the public.