Chapter 1
Introduction: Political Dimensions
of the Bioeconomy
Abstract A seemingly inevitable transition to a bioeconomy is underway, raising
expectations as well as important social and environmental questions. Climate
change, ocean plastic pollution and other ecological issues have made the phase-out
of fossil resources an imperative. Still, greater global reliance on biomass alternatives
poses as many opportunities as risks. Ensuring that such a transition delivers sustainable development—with the inclusion of marginalized groups, addressing inequalities, and eradicating poverty in line with the Sustainable Development Goals rather
than aggravating these problems—is a daunting task, yet a fundamental one. For
that, more attention is needed on governance, on the political dynamics that have
steered bioeconomy promotion, and on the often-overlooked social dimensions of
sustainability. This introductory chapter discusses the concept of bioeconomy, its
tenets, goals, potentials, and key risks. It presents an initial critical inquiry into the
political ecology of bioeconomy promotion and then outlines this book’s in-depth
assessment focused particularly on emerging economies. As these actors increasingly come to shape the fate of global sustainability in the twenty-first century,
the bioeconomy reveals to be an essential domain in which to analyze sustainable
development politics in large democracies of the Global South.
Keywords Environmental governance · Biofuels · Social equity · Political
ecology · Sustainable development · Ecological modernization
1.1 Rescuing the Social Pillar of Sustainable Development
Something goes missing when anyone describes sustainability as a win-win strategy.
If the concept is three-dimensional, at least a third win should be there, including the
ecological, economic, and social aspects.
People are strongly impacted by environmental degradation and the different
strategies adopted to avoid or cope with it. Yet the social dimensions of sustainable
development remain understudied, obfuscated, and at times ignored. The United
Nations’ (UN) 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have
duly recognized social aspects of inclusiveness, justice, and poverty alleviation.
However, these issues arguably remain marginal in most sustainability assessments,
© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2021
M. G. Bastos Lima, The Politics of Bioeconomy and Sustainability,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-66838-9_1
1
Introduction: Political Dimensions
of the Bioeconomy
Abstract A seemingly inevitable transition to a bioeconomy is underway, raising
expectations as well as important social and environmental questions. Climate
change, ocean plastic pollution and other ecological issues have made the phase-out
of fossil resources an imperative. Still, greater global reliance on biomass alternatives
poses as many opportunities as risks. Ensuring that such a transition delivers sustainable development—with the inclusion of marginalized groups, addressing inequalities, and eradicating poverty in line with the Sustainable Development Goals rather
than aggravating these problems—is a daunting task, yet a fundamental one. For
that, more attention is needed on governance, on the political dynamics that have
steered bioeconomy promotion, and on the often-overlooked social dimensions of
sustainability. This introductory chapter discusses the concept of bioeconomy, its
tenets, goals, potentials, and key risks. It presents an initial critical inquiry into the
political ecology of bioeconomy promotion and then outlines this book’s in-depth
assessment focused particularly on emerging economies. As these actors increasingly come to shape the fate of global sustainability in the twenty-first century,
the bioeconomy reveals to be an essential domain in which to analyze sustainable
development politics in large democracies of the Global South.
Keywords Environmental governance · Biofuels · Social equity · Political
ecology · Sustainable development · Ecological modernization
1.1 Rescuing the Social Pillar of Sustainable Development
Something goes missing when anyone describes sustainability as a win-win strategy.
If the concept is three-dimensional, at least a third win should be there, including the
ecological, economic, and social aspects.
People are strongly impacted by environmental degradation and the different
strategies adopted to avoid or cope with it. Yet the social dimensions of sustainable
development remain understudied, obfuscated, and at times ignored. The United
Nations’ (UN) 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have
duly recognized social aspects of inclusiveness, justice, and poverty alleviation.
However, these issues arguably remain marginal in most sustainability assessments,
© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2021
M. G. Bastos Lima, The Politics of Bioeconomy and Sustainability,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-66838-9_1
1