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Bioeconomy: The Path to Sustainability

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A Sustainable Bioeconomy

Abstract

As the global environmental, geopolitical, and socioeconomic situation started to worsen, humanity became aware that the current economic model based on fossil resources is not a viable one and its shortcomings are being sensed all over the world (economic crisis, global warming, accentuated disparities, recurrent pollution incidents, etc.). In response, a general consensus was made about the necessity to reintroduce biomass as the core element for the future economic model allowing a sustainable development, along with dealing with the major issues being faced by humanity nowadays.

In this chapter, the various definitions around the bioeconomy concept are presented, as well as the urgent need elaborate an authoritative definition of this concept in order to synchronize the efforts of all possible contributors (legislators, scientists, industrialists, etc.) for a wider promotion and implementation of this new economic model through a gradual and smooth transition in raw materials from fossil to renewal resources.

The main aim of bioeconomy is primarily to conduct the various agricultural, forestry, and industrial activities in a sustainable manner. Thus, in order to ensure a successful transition to bioeconomy, the key endeavor is to find out different viable schemes to combine both sustainability and profitability. This is definitely the major challenge to face bioeconomy for the next couple of decades. The leading role of science and technology in this vital transition phase towards sustainable bioeconomy is emphasized.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Green Chemistry, Lappeenranta University of Technology, Mikkeli, Finland

    Mika Sillanpää & Chaker Ncibi

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  1. Mika Sillanpää
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  2. Chaker Ncibi
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Sillanpää, M., Ncibi, C. (2017). Bioeconomy: The Path to Sustainability. In: A Sustainable Bioeconomy. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-55637-6_2

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