Exploring the future of the bioeconomy: An expert-based scoping study examining key enabling technology fields with potential to foster the transition toward a bio-based economy

Policy Coherence and the Transition to a Bioeconomy: The Case of Ireland

“…Importantly, with the lack of a robust evidence base, defining who the bioeconomy experts are is a particularly complex and difficult decision [52]. Awareness of potential stakeholder conflicts and competing interests is also essential [13]. The methodology employed in this research should help them recognize not only their own interests but also mutual responsibilities.…”

“…Its development is dependent on efforts across a spectrum of policy spheres [12]. Indeed, while the transition to a bioeconomy presents advantages and opportunities, [9] it is not necessarily sustainable [13,14]. There are inherent risks that should be considered in developing relevant policies [15,16].…”

“…The requirement of greater policy coherence among relevant sectors was highlighted in the updated EC Bioeconomy Strategy of October 2018. Advancing a bioeconomy requires that policymakers understand how the design and coherence of public policy can contribute, or create barriers, to the development of a bio-based market in the wider economy [9,13]. This paper contributes to this awareness in the context of one nation state-Ireland-by exploring the degrees to which there is coherence between sectoral strategies that impact on the bioeconomy in Ireland.…”

Theoretical Approach on the Green Technologies Development

“…It should be noted that there is no generally accepted definition for the green economy and different terms related to green economy are used: smart economy, blue economy, sustainable economy, circular economy and so on -meanwhile, according to pieroni et al (2019), the boundaries of each term are not clearly explored. gazzola et al 2019, popa et al (2011), Laibach et al (2019), Jänicke (2012), swainson, Mahanty (2018), He et al (2019) have developed and expanded the concept of green economy firstly proposed by pearce et al (1989). borel-saladin, turok (2013) claim that concept of a green economy is very attractive to governments and businesses as it aims to provide a simultaneous solution to both unemployment and environmental issues with new green industries and tools for mitigating environmental damage.…”

“…since then, the concept has been expanded. green economy is a resource-saving and environment-friendly economy (He et al, 2019), a way for solving environmental problems that shows confidence in human ingenuity and technological advancements (gazzola et al, 2019), an economic development based on the sustainable development model and knowledge of ecological economics (popa et al, 2011), a socially inclusive and economically beneficial yet environmentally sustainable alternative (Laibach et al, 2019), a way to substitute renewable energy and low-carbon technologies for fossil fuels, and to improve resource and energy efficiency (UNEp 2011), a term for the growth of the entire economy (Jänicke, 2012), integrated, economy-wide framework contrasts with many previous sustainable development initiatives that have been more sector or site focused (swainson, Mahanty, 2018), an "umbrella" concept that encompasses different implications with regard to growth and well-being, or efficiency and risk reduction in the use of natural resources (Loiseau et al, 2016). these potentially contradictory implications require clarification regarding the capability of a green economy implementation to support a transition towards sustainability.…”