Abstract:This Special Issue proposes an array of 11 key papers aimed at investigating the complex and multifaceted nature of the biobased economy, focusing both on a conceptual understanding of the transition and on the measurement issues associated to it. More specifically, collected papers can be broadly divided in two groups: (1) those aiming at adding to our understanding of the transition process towards a sustainable biobased economy; and (2) those aiming at adding to the definition and measurement of the emergin… Show more
“…It is worth noting that social assessment, relative to environmental assessment (which is based on highly technical criteria), may involve a broader spectrum of aspects that directly affect stakeholders, ranging from human rights, working conditions, health and safety issues, equity, social responsibility, job creation, and social participation to social capital, access to basic resources, and happiness (Colantonio & Lane, 2007). Therefore, it is central to consider stakeholder perspectives when formulating the most relevant aspects for inclusion in a social sustainability assessment for bio-based products (Morone, 2018).…”
Section: Theoretical Background Of Stakeholder Analysis In Slca Stumentioning
International institutions are calling for a transition towards more sustainable systems of production and consumption. In this transition, sustainable innovations are expected to play an ever-increasing role. In particular, the production of innovative bio-based products-products wholly or partly derived from biological materials or from innovative production processes and/or innovative biomass such as food waste or forest residuals-will be part of this process. However, the sustainability of such products must be assured along their entire life cycle and across the three dimensions mentioned above. Against this background, our study aimed at identifying a social impact framework tailored to bio-based products. It employed a two-step methodological framework encompassing (a) identification of the relevant social impact categories, subcategories, and indicators and (b) validation of these factors, according to participatory stakeholder involvement. The validation exercise enabled us to consider a restricted number of social indicators so as to reduce the amount of data needed for assessing and decreasing related costs.
“…It is worth noting that social assessment, relative to environmental assessment (which is based on highly technical criteria), may involve a broader spectrum of aspects that directly affect stakeholders, ranging from human rights, working conditions, health and safety issues, equity, social responsibility, job creation, and social participation to social capital, access to basic resources, and happiness (Colantonio & Lane, 2007). Therefore, it is central to consider stakeholder perspectives when formulating the most relevant aspects for inclusion in a social sustainability assessment for bio-based products (Morone, 2018).…”
Section: Theoretical Background Of Stakeholder Analysis In Slca Stumentioning
International institutions are calling for a transition towards more sustainable systems of production and consumption. In this transition, sustainable innovations are expected to play an ever-increasing role. In particular, the production of innovative bio-based products-products wholly or partly derived from biological materials or from innovative production processes and/or innovative biomass such as food waste or forest residuals-will be part of this process. However, the sustainability of such products must be assured along their entire life cycle and across the three dimensions mentioned above. Against this background, our study aimed at identifying a social impact framework tailored to bio-based products. It employed a two-step methodological framework encompassing (a) identification of the relevant social impact categories, subcategories, and indicators and (b) validation of these factors, according to participatory stakeholder involvement. The validation exercise enabled us to consider a restricted number of social indicators so as to reduce the amount of data needed for assessing and decreasing related costs.
“…The market for bio-based products is emerging. More specifically, it is embedded in a transition process in the sociotechnical regime, aimed at reaching a paradigm shift away from the traditional fossil-based economy towards a more sustainable economy with products of biological origin (see, e.g., [25,26]). The current low level of stability in the market is also linked with a low level of certainty (see, e.g., [25]).…”
At the Hanover Fair in April 2018, the Bioconcept-Car was presented as a model for the future of sustainable mobility. Likewise, a car made of cellulose nanofiber was presented at the Tokyo Motor Show in 2019. Various additional automotive applications for bio-based materials have been developed, some of which are already in use in cars. However, supportive measures for stimulating their market acceptance are needed. Based on a mix of research methods, this article describes how ecolabels, sustainability standards, and regulations might support the market uptake of bio-based car components. In addition, comparison with three other types of bio-based products are provided. The article ends with suggestions for future market development activities.
“…The concept of sustainability certification originates from the management of forestry resources [19]. It was first applied with the aim of ensuring that the extraction of timber resources does not surpass the regenerative capacity of forest ecosystems so that future generations can equally benefit from forests [4]. After the initial certification of forest management, additional initiatives could be observed in the early 1990s for the certification of agricultural production systems cultivating crops e.g., for the food production.…”
Section: Sustainability Certificationmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…The intended transformation is characterized by economic, environmental, and social challenges and opportunities and is understood as a social transition process towards a sustainable, bio-based, and nature-oriented economy [4]. Management and control of this transition need appropriate instruments, indicators, and assessment tools to cover not only the BE as a whole, but also specific dimensions of BE development.…”
Section: Introductionmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…Biofuels are covered by sustainability and GHG saving requirements that must be fulfilled and verified by recognized third party sustainability certification systems [6,7]. At the same time, the RED and the respective sustainability certification systems also serve as a guide for other sectors that process biomass, waste, and residual materials, also beyond the EU, and have become part of the development of a global BE [4].…”
Monitoring the potential impacts of the growing Bioeconomy (BE) is a crucial precondition for the development of viable and sustainable strategies. Potential environmental consequences from resource production for the German Bioeconomy can be assessed with the concept of environmental footprint modelling. Furthermore, remote sensing and sustainability certification are tools that can support risk assessment and mitigation i.e., regarding land use (change), biodiversity, carbon stocks, and water consumption. Thus, they can complement the results of footprint models and produce assessment results with a much higher resolution. Among other things, this can enable the development of strategies for more sustainable production practices in high-risk areas and avoid potential bans of biomass imports from entire countries/regions. The conducted case study on palm oil in this paper shows intersections between indicators used in sustainability certification systems and in footprint modelling considering processes on plantation and mill levels. Local best practices for the sustainable production of biomass are identified through a literature review and are extended by a survey, which evaluates the feasibility and conditions of implementing the selected practices on plantations. The conceptual approach outlined in this paper can be seen as a first step towards an integrated sustainability risk analysis of processes and products used within the BE that might be further developed from this starting point. It takes into account footprint modelling data, the use of sustainability certification systems, and data and results from remote sensing analyses. This will enable low-risk producers of renewable resources, who are located in regions generally flagged as high-risk when using environmental footprint modelling, not to be excluded from market activities but to set best practice examples that can then be expanded into these regions.
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