Directionality and diversity 245
the crisis in the Norwegian pulp and paper sector, a sector which has practically collapsed in recent years. The industry’s main interest is to find alternative uses for timber and forest residuals, and to encourage policy- makers to
support and foster investments in the sector. The submissions from the energy
sector advocate the increased use of bioenergy, and public investments in
biofuel development. Some exemplar quotes from the submission of an
energy company illustrate the argument:
Bioenergy will be part of the bioeconomy. A bioeconomy strategy hence
needs to include a further development of those parts in the value chain
that are already active and commercially available today. It is important
that stationary bioenergy and 2G biofuels are among the building blocks
in a Norwegian bioeconomy strategy.… Forest resources are the best raw
material for biofuels.… Biofuels will increase value creation from the
forest by inverting the export of timber and will strengthen the wood
manufacturing industry in general.
(Energy company)
Biogas technology suppliers focus on competition and market structure and
argue that the public authorities need to take a more active role in creating
better market conditions for green and bio- based products. They, therefore,
push for a more active and strategic use of demand- side policies, such as
public procurement.
There is a need for markets and cost levels which can compete with
fossil- based solutions. In order to create new value chains based on
biomass stable framework conditions, coordination and support from the
public authorities are needed.… There is enormous potential to produce
food and products from the sea.… We need to find alternative products
that can exploit forest resources.… The solutions build on combining
known technologies, but the challenges are related to both technology
and profitability.
(Industry association)
In addition, public authorities, such as local and regional governments,
promote issues associated with the bio- resource vision. Their main focus is
on research and innovation, and on the capitalisation of a wide range of bioresources, which will presumably lead to economic growth and employment
opportunities. In particular, they view their role as the promoters of crosssector collaboration amongst regional actors, typically between industry and
universities and research institutes. While positive effects related to sustainability and environment are portrayed implicitly, they are not emphasised as
the main outcomes of the development of the bioeconomy. Thus, sustainability aspects receive limited attention from the public policy actors. See the
following exemplar quote:
the crisis in the Norwegian pulp and paper sector, a sector which has practically collapsed in recent years. The industry’s main interest is to find alternative uses for timber and forest residuals, and to encourage policy- makers to
support and foster investments in the sector. The submissions from the energy
sector advocate the increased use of bioenergy, and public investments in
biofuel development. Some exemplar quotes from the submission of an
energy company illustrate the argument:
Bioenergy will be part of the bioeconomy. A bioeconomy strategy hence
needs to include a further development of those parts in the value chain
that are already active and commercially available today. It is important
that stationary bioenergy and 2G biofuels are among the building blocks
in a Norwegian bioeconomy strategy.… Forest resources are the best raw
material for biofuels.… Biofuels will increase value creation from the
forest by inverting the export of timber and will strengthen the wood
manufacturing industry in general.
(Energy company)
Biogas technology suppliers focus on competition and market structure and
argue that the public authorities need to take a more active role in creating
better market conditions for green and bio- based products. They, therefore,
push for a more active and strategic use of demand- side policies, such as
public procurement.
There is a need for markets and cost levels which can compete with
fossil- based solutions. In order to create new value chains based on
biomass stable framework conditions, coordination and support from the
public authorities are needed.… There is enormous potential to produce
food and products from the sea.… We need to find alternative products
that can exploit forest resources.… The solutions build on combining
known technologies, but the challenges are related to both technology
and profitability.
(Industry association)
In addition, public authorities, such as local and regional governments,
promote issues associated with the bio- resource vision. Their main focus is
on research and innovation, and on the capitalisation of a wide range of bioresources, which will presumably lead to economic growth and employment
opportunities. In particular, they view their role as the promoters of crosssector collaboration amongst regional actors, typically between industry and
universities and research institutes. While positive effects related to sustainability and environment are portrayed implicitly, they are not emphasised as
the main outcomes of the development of the bioeconomy. Thus, sustainability aspects receive limited attention from the public policy actors. See the
following exemplar quote: