Publication Details

Category Text Publication
Reference Category Book chapters
DOI 10.1007/978-3-319-73028-8_26
Title (Primary) A governance framework for a sustainable bioeconomy: Insights from the case of the German wood-based bioeconomy
Title (Secondary) Towards a sustainable bioeconomy: principles, challenges and perpectives
Author Gawel, E.; Purkus, A.; Pannicke, N.; Hagemann, N.
Publisher Leal Filho, W.; Borges de Lima, I.; Pociovalisteanu, D.-M.; Brito, P.
Source Titel World Sustainability Series
Year 2018
Department OEKON
Page From 517
Page To 537
Language englisch
Keywords Bioeconomy; Wood; Governance; Policies; Path dependencies; Germany
UFZ wide themes RU6;
UFZ inventory Leipzig, Bibliothek, Hauptlesesaal, 00524438, 18-0235 DK: 330.1+338.23 Tow
Abstract Increasing the sustainability of economic processes and products requires a path transition from the present, predominantly fossil resource-based “throughput economy” towards a renewable resource-based circular flow economy. The bioeconomy concept can contribute to such a transition. However, an adequate governance framework is necessary not only to overcome the current carbon lock-in and create fair competitive framework conditions for bioeconomy processes and products (enabling function), but also to ensure the sustainability of an increased use of bio-based resources (limiting function). At the same time, achieving a path transition is challenging due to, inter alia, interacting market failures which distort allocation decisions, and uncertainties about the economic, environmental and socio-economic impacts of different bio-based production pathways. Moreover, transitioning to a new “upper state” sustainability equilibrium requires a corresponding politico-economic equilibrium in markets for regulation that allows for the provision of necessary transition policies. In this chapter, we discuss the challenges of establishing an effective governance framework for the bioeconomy. Furthermore, focusing on the case of the German wood-based bioeconomy, we analyse how the enabling and limiting governance functions have been implemented in practice. Based on this, we identify scope for improvements. In particular, the case study highlights the important role that policies have to play in establishing fair competitive framework conditions for bioeconomy applications, fostering innovation and safeguarding sustainability. While existing measures remain fragmented and insufficient to initiate a path transition, gradually developing them further may contribute to a dynamic that stimulates demand for more far-reaching transition policies on political markets.
Persistent UFZ Identifier https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=19307
Gawel, E., Purkus, A., Pannicke, N., Hagemann, N. (2018):
A governance framework for a sustainable bioeconomy: Insights from the case of the German wood-based bioeconomy
In: Leal Filho, W., Borges de Lima, I., Pociovalisteanu, D.-M., Brito, P. (eds.)
Towards a sustainable bioeconomy: principles, challenges and perpectives
World Sustainability Series
Springer International Publishing, Cham, p. 517 - 537 10.1007/978-3-319-73028-8_26