Title:
Beyond Technologies: The Socio-Environmental Role of Biorefineries
Author(s):
Magnolo, F., Gabet, X., Speelman, S., Harasek, M.
Document(s):
Paper
Slide presentation
Abstract:
The current collapse of Earth’s system is anthropogenic. Therefore, the way our societies function is put into question. A response to such collapse requires transformative societal changes. The transition to a bioeconomy and the deployment of biorefineries are expected to address these global issues, providing large scale and deep changes. In this study, we investigated the role assigned to biorefineries uncovering the narratives that shape the way they are currently defined. The bioeconomy narratives identified were the Biotech, the Biomass, and the Ecological bioeconomy narratives. Although the Ecological bioeconomy was deemed the one reflecting the principles of a transformative change, 83% of the links of biorefinery definitions’ features reflect the principles of the Biomass bioeconomy narrative, based on substitution logic, efficiency-based incremental change, and green growth. The most considered features in biorefinery definitions were technology (97%), economy (84%) and products (87%), showing a strong techno-centric perspective. We concluded that biorefineries, as currently framed, cannot contribute to systemic changes and cannot address the complexity of the issues at hand. Therefore, a new conceptualization of biorefineries is needed to fit a transformative narrative, where biorefineries can embody key values to a just and fair societal transition away from fossil-based logic and consumerism.
Keywords:
bioeconomy, biorefinery, transformative change, narratives
Topic:
Sustainability, Impacts and Policies
Subtopic:
Sustainability, socio-economic aspects and public acceptance
Event:
30th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition
Session:
2CO.8.3
Pages:
327 - 332
ISBN:
978-88-89407-22-6
Paper DOI:
10.5071/30thEUBCE2022-2CO.8.3
Price:
FREE
