Bioeconomy

The future of humanity will largely depend on reliable and secure access to food and the sustainable use of energy, water and resources. In light of climate change and the increasing scarcity of resources, bioeconomic principles, such as the circularity of material cycles, play a central role. The 2030 Agenda as well as the Paris Climate Agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions will only be attainable through the eco-efficient use of the current resource base. Population growth, increasing nutritional needs and environmental pollution give rise to key conflicts of goals, e.g., between food and energy security, water supply, maintaining soil quality and protecting biodiversity.

Bioeconomy seeks solutions to these challenges and the associated conflicts of goals. It encompasses all economic sectors that are involved in the production, processing and use of biological resources (plants, animals, microorganisms) and principles and requires new and interdisciplinary knowledge-based approaches to technology development and policy-making.

This thematic focus is closely linked to TRA Sustainable Futures.