The bioeconomy in the Baltic Sea region.
Authored by Anna Berlina.
Bioeconomy is currently among the key components for promoting smart and green growth in the Nordic and Baltic Sea Region (BSR). In a bioeconomy, the materials, chemicals, and energy are derived from renewable biological resources, such as forestry, agricultural, marine biomass and bio-waste streams. The BSR has a good potential for developing a bioeconomy thanks to diverse land-based and marine resources, high innovation potential in areas crucial for the bioeconomy and a well-developed infrastructure, technological and environmental knowledge. The study draws upon the lessons learned from the regional bioeconomy case studies in the Nordic countries (Örnsköldsvik biorefinery in Sweden, Lolland municipality in Denmark, North Karelia and Kemi-Tornio regions in Finland).
Among the main findings is that the success of a bioeconomy is often attributed to an extensive collaboration across different levels of government, disciplines, business, science, stakeholders and individuals. High level of collaboration and partnership in both formal and informal arrangements is crucial for fostering innovation, building trust and relationships. Transition to a bioeconomy may be accelerated by building innovative support structures that help to facilitate innovation, as well as develop, test and realize bioeconomy projects. For instance, building networks, innovation platforms and cluster development may yield many positive results, such as supporting the development of new business opportunities and identifying new value chains. The regional case studies also show the potential of industrial symbiosis in promoting a circular bioeconomy. Overall, the bioeconomy development requires place-based, localized and decentralized approaches as there is no ‘one-sizefits-all’ solutions to the bioeconomy.
BSR Policy Briefing 3/2018 is written by Anna Berlina who is a Research Fellow at Nordregio, and works within the broad field of regional development in the Nordic and Baltic Sea Region. Her areas of research include circular economy, bioeconomy, social innovation and rural mobility solutions.
Download the BSR Policy Briefing here.
