Directionality and diversity 247
R and D and economic growth, employment, market development, etc.), the
bio- ecology vision has sustainability as the primary objective of the bioeconomy. The actors within this vision express strong concerns related to
sustainability and environmental issues and, at the same time, criticise the capitalisation of public goods, warning about risks related to the over- extraction
of biological resources. A quote from an environmental NGO illustrates this
argument:
It is important to have a realistic assessment of how much biomass can be
harvested from forests.… If the forest is to contribute with biomass
resources to more than a small part of the potential application areas,
much more needs to be harvested than just the forest waste (GROT).
And this fact must make us listen to the alarm signals: what implications
will this have for biodiversity and recreation? What are the implications
for the climate and carbon storage function of the forest? … We need to
set strict requirements for the application of harvested forest biomass, so
that it is used as effectively as possible and with the highest possible conversion rates. From our viewpoint it is hence not interesting to produce
liquid biofuels from forest biomass.
(NGO)
The analysis of the material shows that a minority of submissions (14%)
emphasise questions such as environmental preservation, biodiversity, ecosystem services, and a circular approach to the bioeconomy. These issues are
important predominantly for NGOs and a few industry associations. This perception radically contrasts with arguments from actors that have vested interests in, for instance, forest resources. In this sense, the bio- ecology actors
favour the need to protect forest resources and pursue a careful assessment of
the actual available biomass resources. They argue against the utilisation of
forest biomass resources for the purpose of energy use, and contend that
estimates of biomass extraction from forests need to be carefully assessed and
managed. Moreover, they argue for the need to preserve forest resources,
which are seen as public goods, serving important functions in terms of preventing further losses of biodiversity, preserving the essential ecosystem, and
delivering recreational services:
There are several opportunities for R&D and business development
within an increased investment in the bioeconomy, but it requires a
holistic perspective on the limitations that exist with regards to the
exploitation of raw materials, the quantity of accessible raw material, the
need to stop the loss of biodiversity, preservation of landscape qualities,
recreational life and other interests in the same areas, and the real consequences of climate change.
(NGO)
R and D and economic growth, employment, market development, etc.), the
bio- ecology vision has sustainability as the primary objective of the bioeconomy. The actors within this vision express strong concerns related to
sustainability and environmental issues and, at the same time, criticise the capitalisation of public goods, warning about risks related to the over- extraction
of biological resources. A quote from an environmental NGO illustrates this
argument:
It is important to have a realistic assessment of how much biomass can be
harvested from forests.… If the forest is to contribute with biomass
resources to more than a small part of the potential application areas,
much more needs to be harvested than just the forest waste (GROT).
And this fact must make us listen to the alarm signals: what implications
will this have for biodiversity and recreation? What are the implications
for the climate and carbon storage function of the forest? … We need to
set strict requirements for the application of harvested forest biomass, so
that it is used as effectively as possible and with the highest possible conversion rates. From our viewpoint it is hence not interesting to produce
liquid biofuels from forest biomass.
(NGO)
The analysis of the material shows that a minority of submissions (14%)
emphasise questions such as environmental preservation, biodiversity, ecosystem services, and a circular approach to the bioeconomy. These issues are
important predominantly for NGOs and a few industry associations. This perception radically contrasts with arguments from actors that have vested interests in, for instance, forest resources. In this sense, the bio- ecology actors
favour the need to protect forest resources and pursue a careful assessment of
the actual available biomass resources. They argue against the utilisation of
forest biomass resources for the purpose of energy use, and contend that
estimates of biomass extraction from forests need to be carefully assessed and
managed. Moreover, they argue for the need to preserve forest resources,
which are seen as public goods, serving important functions in terms of preventing further losses of biodiversity, preserving the essential ecosystem, and
delivering recreational services:
There are several opportunities for R&D and business development
within an increased investment in the bioeconomy, but it requires a
holistic perspective on the limitations that exist with regards to the
exploitation of raw materials, the quantity of accessible raw material, the
need to stop the loss of biodiversity, preservation of landscape qualities,
recreational life and other interests in the same areas, and the real consequences of climate change.
(NGO)