Name and affiliations of the session organisers
- Teis Hansen (University of Copenhagen)
- Sebastian Losacker (Justus Liebig University Giessen)
- Daniel Schiller (University of Greifswald)
SPECIAL SESSIONS
SS1: Innovation in the Bioeconomy and Regional Sustainability Transitions: Promises, Pitfalls and Contradictions
Description
The bioeconomy is an emerging area of research and policy that refers to the production, processing, and use of renewable biological resources, such as crops, forests, and marine resources.The bioeconomy includes a wide range of industries, including agriculture, forestry, fisheries, biotechnology, and bioenergy. It is seen as a promising pathway for sustainable economic growth, as it offers opportunities for innovation, job creation, and environmental stewardship. The bioeconomy is closely linked to sustainability, as it seeks to reduce reliance on non-renewable resources, mitigate the impacts of climate change, and promote sustainable resource use. It also aims to support social and economicdevelopment, particularly in rural and coastal communities that are dependent on natural resources (Bugge, Hansen, & Klitkou, 2016; Prochaska & Schiller, 2021; Vogelpohl & Töller, 2021).
Innovation is critical to the success of the bioeconomy, as it enables the development of new products, processes, and technologies that can enhance the efficiency, sustainability, and competitiveness of bio-based industries. Innovation in the bioeconomy is often driven by the interaction of multiple actors, such as research institutions, private companies, and public agencies, and is shaped by a range of factors, including regional institutions, networks, and resources(Bauer, Hansen, & Hellsmark, 2018; Patermann & Aguilar, 2021; Wydra, 2020).
While practitioners and policymakers in particular see the bioeconomy paradigm as a promising approach to regional development, many researchers are not yet so sure about its actual positive implications (Allain, Ruault, Moraine,& Madelrieux, 2022; Bringezu et al., 2021).
The session will explore the geography of innovation in the bioeconomy, its effects on regional development, and its implications for regional sustainability transitions. In pursuing this, we pay specific attention to not only the production side of bio-innovations, but also the consumption side, as well as the link between these. The session also aims to take a critical stance on the sustainability effects of the bioeconomy. Among other things, this requires unpacking how sustainability effects may vary depending on the characteristics of the products –from products that are used more or less immediately (e.g. fuels) to products with lifespans of decades or even centuries (e.g. construction materials).
Specifically, it will explore the following topics:
- The spatial organization and the spatial patterns of innovation in the bioeconomy, focusing onthe role of clusters, networks, and institutions in facilitating innovation processes.
- The role of regional innovation systems in supporting innovation in the bioeconomy, including the importance of local knowledge networks and institutions in facilitating collaboration and knowledge transfer.
- The role of policy in shaping innovation in the bioeconomy, including theeffects of national and regional policies on the development of bio-based industries.
- The role of regions in the bioeconomy, including how regions can leverage their unique resources and capabilities to foster innovation and economic growth.
- The contribution of the bioeconomy to sustainable development, including the potential benefits of bio-based products and technologies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving resource efficiency, and promoting circular economy approaches.
- Critical perspectives on the sustainability implications of the bioeconomy, including the environmental, social, and economic impacts of bio-based industries and products.
- The sustainability challenges associated with the bioeconomy, including the potential impacts on biodiversity, land use, and social equity.
- The opportunities and challenges of scaling up bio-based industries to meet global demand, including the need for sustainable and responsible production and consumption practices.
These topics are meant to serve as a starting point for discussion, and we welcome additional contributions that address the broader theme of the geography of innovation in the bioeconomy.
Allain, S., Ruault, J. F., Moraine, M., & Madelrieux, S. (2022). The ‘bioeconomics vs bioeconomy’ debate: Beyond criticism, advancing research fronts. Environmental Innovation and Societal Transitions, 42, 58–73. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.EIST.2021.11.004
Bauer, F., Hansen, T., & Hellsmark, H. (2018). Innovation in the bioeconomy–dynamics of biorefinery innovation networks. Technology Analysis and Strategic Management, 30(8), 935–947. https://doi.org/10.1080/09537325.2018.1425386
Bringezu, S., Distelkamp, M., Lutz, C., Wimmer, F., Schaldach, R., Hennenberg, K. J., … Egenolf, V. (2021). Environmental and socioeconomic footprints of the German bioeconomy. Nature Sustainability, 4(9), 775–783. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41893-021-00725-3
Bugge, M., Hansen, T., & Klitkou, A. (2016). What Is the Bioeconomy? A Review of the Literature. Sustainability, 8(7), 691. https://doi.org/10.3390/su8070691
Patermann, C., & Aguilar, A. (2021). A bioeconomy for the next decade. EFB Bioeconomy Journal, 1(1), 100005. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.BIOECO.2021.100005
Prochaska, L., & Schiller, D. (2021). An evolutionary perspective on the emergence and implementation of mission-oriented innovation policy: the example of the change of the leitmotif from biotechnology to bioeconomy. Review of Evolutionary Political Economy, 2(1), 141–249. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43253-021-00033-8
Vogelpohl, T., & Töller, A. E. (2021). Perspectives on the bioeconomy as an emerging policy field. Journal of Environmental Policy & Planning, 23(2), 143–151. https://doi.org/10.1080/1523908X.2021.1901394
Wydra, S. (2020). Measuring innovation in the bioeconomy –Conceptual discussion and empirical experiences. Technology in Society, 61, 101242. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techsoc.2020.101242
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