INTERNATIONAL BIOECONOMY POLICIES

Transcription

1 Symposium on Wood Products Industries in Future Bio-economy Business, Sibelius Hall, Lahti, 7 April 2016 INTERNATIONAL BIOECONOMY POLICIES Professor Daniela Kleinschmit, Chair of Forest and Environmental Policy, University of Freiburg and Alexander Buck, IUFRO Executive Director

2 WHAT IS IUFRO? IUFRO is "the" global network for science cooperation related to forests and trees: ~ 15,000+ scientists ~ 600+ Member Organizations ~ 100+ countries. ~ 600+ voluntary officeholders ~ 250 research units ~ 70+ meetings/year on average IUFRO is open to all individuals and organizations dedicated to forest and forest products research and related disciplines.

3 IUFRO S MISSION IUFRO advances research excellence and knowledge sharing, and fosters development of science-based solutions to forest-related challenges for the benefit of forests and people worldwide.

4 Cross-cutting key issues addressed by interdisciplinary Task Forces. HOW DOES IUFRO WORK? IUFRO provides a global structure for science cooperation related to forests and trees; Within this structure, member scientists from all around the world collaborate on a voluntary basis; The structure allows IUFRO to address research needs and priorities in a flexible manner; Key research fields covered by 9 permanent Divisions;

5 IUFRO STRATEGY The following five themes guide the science collaboration within IUFRO s global network up to the next IUFRO World Congress in Brazil in 2019: Forests for People Forests and Climate Change Forests and Forest-based Products for a Greener Future Biodiversity, Ecosystem Services and Biological Invasions Forest, Soil and Water Interactions

6 INT. BIO-ECONOMY SYMPOSIUM 2015 Bio-economy reveals big chances, and it is time for the forest sector to take a lead in steering the process in close cooperation with other sectors The main challenge will be how to maximize the forests' contributions while ensuring their sustainability Crucial role of science as a source of expertise

7 BIOECONOMY: THE MAGIC WAND? The bioeconomy has emerged [ ] because of its tremendous potential for growth as well as the many other societal benefits it offers. It can allow Americans to live longer, healthier lives, reduce our dependence on oil, address key environmental challenges, transform manufacturing processes, and increase the productivity and scope of the agricultural sector while growing new jobs and industries. (Executive Summary of the US National Bioeconomy Blueprint, released in 2012)

8 Source: German Bioeconomy Council (2015)

9 WHAT DO WE MEAN? Knowledge Production of biomass by using Land Sea in the sector Agriculture Forestry Fishery Waste mang. Products and Marketing Food Bio-resources Bio-technology Processing of biomass Feed Biobased Products Bioenergy Figure adapted from Hüttl, 2013

10 NEW MODES OF GOVERNANCE Emphasis on: Photo: Adrian Martin Cross-sectoral and multi-level coordination Participation Adaptive and iterative policy processes Use of accountable expertise

11 CROSS-SECTORAL COORDINATION Bioeconomy is not limited to any single economic sector but is a cross-cutting phenomenon with impacts that will be societywide (OECD, 2006) Bioeconomy cooperation platforms must be geared to cross-sectoral activities (Finnish Bioeconomy Strategy, 2014) Prominent role of forests and timber in Finnish strategy, but - overall - role of the forest sector is limited so far

12 MULTI-LEVEL COORDINATION Potential of bioeconomy limited by lack of regional and global formalization of the concept (German Bioeconomy Council, 2015) Significant differences among national strategies and policies Potential to learn from each other

13 PARTICIPATION Role of industry (private participation) is acknowledged Examples: Finnish Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (2010) Finland s National Forest Programme 2015: Turning the Finnish forest sector into a responsible pioneer in bioeconomy, Swedish Forest Industry The Forest Industry The Driver for a Sustainable Bioeconomy Social Participation is underdeveloped Challenge: preventing old conflicts

14 Bioeconomy A mixed-source discourse BIOECONOMY mixed source discourse Meta discourses Forest discourses Limits to growth discourse Ecological modernisation = Bioeconomy Discourse Forest & climate change Wood fuel Sustainable forest management Industrial forest Sustainablity Discourse - Social Dimension - (Participation) Year

15 SUSTAINABILITY Prominently used in all political discourses about bioeconomy However, focus on economic dimension and on efficiency, capacity of sectors Differences also in extent to which national bioeconomy discourses are linked to existing policies on sustainability Shift benefiting the economic dimension?

16 OPPORTUNITY Focus on knowledge and expertise More rational discourse Knowledge economy, Knowledge-based bioeconomy or knowledge society

17 EXPERTISE The integrated Bioeconomy we envisage is not simply about science, but is rather an integration of science with business and society (European Commission, 2011) Finnish Bioecoomy Strategy acknowlegeds need to create preconditions for bioeconomy through research by encouraging Finnish actors to take part in international research networks

18 EXPERTISE Challenge: Supporting scientific expertise about innovative technological processes and products without neglecting research on ecological and social consequences and research about efficient and legitimate policies. Photo: Medical products such as wood-based casts for fractures

19 Participation of social and private actors in the policy process, to ensure sensitivity for Lebensweltliche Problemlagen CONCLUDING OBSERVATIONS Clear definition of bioeconomy: based on bioresources / processed through biotechnology Collaboration in the development of goals and strategies across sectors taking on a land use perspective without diminishing the forest sector Horizontal learning efforts across different countries fostering exchange of knowledge about best practices

20 CONCLUDING OBSERVATIONS Development of indicators measuring progress of a shift towards bioeconomy: balancing economic, ecological and social concerns Accompanying political endeavours with (socioeconomic) research to assess strategies and developments and identify efficient and legitimate governance arrangements

21 THANK YOU!