Strategies for a Rapid Transition to a Circular, Biobased Society

Abstract

Rapid transition towards circular, biobased economy includes upscaling current knowledge/technologies and at the same time investing in public/private collaboration for developing biobased technologies. What is ready to be done and where investment is urgently needed can be summarized as follows: Reduction of emissions through improved resource efficiency by upgrading waste; stopping loss of biodiversity by reducing pesticides and land-use; hereby strengthening industrial competitiveness, creating jobs of many skills and improve rural livelihood. An analysis is given for so far too slow implementation: Global climate agenda focuses on energy/transport, where CO₂ reduction is easily calculated, while indirect, but huge effects of improved resource efficiency are neglected. A strategy for rapid transition is outlined: unlocking full potential of the biomass, upgrading all components to the highest level. Upgrade all types of biomass – including industrial side streams and organic wastes. Communicate that biobased solutions address many societal challenges. Highlights are given of promising emerging bio-based technologies: negative emission technologies, circular textile industry technologies, BioAg, substituting pesticides, biological soil improvement and food and feed ingredients for improved health. Instruments and drivers are described, embracing that societal changes do not come from technology alone: Incentive structures, building markets; knowledge dissemination; transforming EU subsidies to drive implementation of greener solutions; international biobased collaboration to gain priority, including win/win strategy for growth economy collaborations; and dedicated bioeconomy alliance between Africa and Europe.