Bioeconomy of Sustainability

The term bioeconomy was first explored as a means of substituting resources (e.g. biomass versus oil) and only later as a way of biotechnological innovation. Thus, the idea is to minimise waste and increase efficiency. The European Commision defined the bioeconomy as the economy that uses renewable biological resources from the land and sea (e.g. animals, crops, fish, forests and microorganisms) to produce energy, food and materials. The bioeconomy aims to replace non-renewable resources with bio-based alternatives by highlighting the deployment of bio-based energy and materials to reduce environmental risks. The bioeconomy affects multiple sectors: agriculture; forestry; fishing and aquaculture; manufacture of food, beverages and tobacco; manufacture of bio-based textiles; manufacture of wood products and furniture; manufacture of paper; manufacture of bio-based chemicals, pharmaceuticals, plastics and rubber; manufacture of liquid biofuels; production of bioelectricity.

This section strongly encourages an interdisciplinary approach that captures the real meaning of sustainability: overcoming a selfish vision by thinking of the whole society, of future generations. Economic growth can occur by consuming and producing what is actually needed while respecting ecosystems. This sustainable transition requires the adoption of appropriate policies, to stimulate citizens to behave responsibly, to push companies to produce cleanly, and a special role is played by future generations, who can be the green-powered locomotive of this change. Thematically, “Bioeconomy of Sustainability” includes:

• assessment of circular premium of bio-based products/processes;
• assessment of green premium of bio-based products/processes;
• assessment of the role of certification and eco-labels associated to the bio-based products;
• changes and opportunities in the circular bioeconomy
• definition of products/processes within the bioeconomy;
• development of bioeconomy/circular bioeconomy in emerging economies;
• economic life cycle analysis of bio-based products/processes;
• environmental life cycle analysis of bio-based products/processes;
• identification of new indicators in the bioeconomy sectors;
• identification of sustainable policies suitable to favour the development of bioeconomy/circular bioeconomy;
• industrial symbiosis within circular bioeconomy;
• new technological applications in the bioeconomy sectors;
• social life cycle analysis of bio-based products/processes;
• nexus among technological and sustainable aspects of bioeconomy within public/private facilities.

Accordingly, the section “Bioeconomy of Sustainability” is interested in conceptual articles, perspectives, research articles and review articles covering the whole breadth of sustainability concerns. The section welcomes special issue proposals from experts on these topics and greatly encourages collaboration among academia, industry, and policy.

Most recent Research in this regard, please visit https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/14/1/200

Prof. Dr. Idiano D’Adamo
Section Editor-in-Chief