Policy Matters – Blog Article by Rose Qamara

As the global shift toward a low-carbon future accelerates, biomass has become a strategic renewable resource for producing energy, materials, food, etc. However, this rising importance comes with complex social, ecological, and political questions. For instance, how can biomass be produced sustainably? How do we ensure that supply chains are fair, resilient, and environmentally responsible?

These are some of the questions that guided the second DESTINY Research School, hosted at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU) in Vienna, Austria. Researchers from across Europe gathered to explore sustainability assessment in biomass systems—examining how interdisciplinary research can support real-world decision making. Expert speakers helped DESTINY Doctoral Candidates navigate, among other topics, the policy dimensions in bioeconomy transformation and the tools available to evaluate sustainability trade-offs.

The conversation began by tracing the roots of the bioeconomy. Martin Greimel reminded participants that the early conceptual seeds lie in the 19^th -century “economy of nature,” grounded in the work of Linnaeus and Darwin. In the 21^st century, the concept has been redefined to confront modern challenges, such as climate change and fossil-resource dependency. By the 2010s, the European Union (EU) and nearly 60 countries had adopted national bioeconomy strategies, each attempting to harness renewable biological resources to drive sustainable innovation. Despite this progress, Greimel pointed that bioeconomy is still “a concept under development,” with its definition evolving as the understanding deepens.

Over the years, the transition to bioeconomy unfolded differently across regions, reflecting varied social realities, ecosystems, and economic structures. Bernhard Koch emphasized the importance of regional transformation that draws from the existing knowledge, local experiences, and community needs. The indirect approaches, such as raising awareness and building on familiar practices, are vital for long-term acceptance.

Similarly, Bernhard Kastner argued that a transformative bioeconomy must be socio-ecologically grounded, cooperative, and transdisciplinary. This means engaging multiple stakeholders, from farmers and scientists to industries and civil society, to ensure that changes are legitimate, fair, and sustainable.

With the release of the new EU Bioeconomy Strategy, the EU is entering a pivotal phase. Raphaela Hellmayr addressed this by questioning whether the strategy will draw renewed attention to key issues, such as regulatory harmonisation and the need to better align innovation with environmental protection.

Important questions emerged about the integrity and long-term sustainability of the bioeconomy. A speaker from Greenpeace, Ursula Bittner, raised concerns about “greenwashing” and questioned whether industries are already overusing biomass, risking ecological harm. In response, industry stakeholder Jo-Ann Innerlohinger highlighted that, for example, LENZING™ is committed to using certified and controlled sources of wood biomass, underlining the need for transparent and responsible supply chains.

These perspectives capture the central challenge for policymakers: balancing innovation and economic growth with environmental limits and public trust.

Looking ahead, speakers stressed that sustainability must go hand-in-hand with social fairness.
Benjamin Fleischmann called for a bioeconomy that is democratic, inclusive, and equitable, ensuring benefits are widely shared and that vulnerable communities are not left behind.

Alice Ludvig argued that scientific knowledge plays an important role in political debates, as it increases both the visibility and responsibility of researchers to contribute to public discussions. However, delivering this vision requires stronger bridges between science and policy. According to Karin Huber-Heim, the current state of the bioeconomy’s fragmented strategies and weak coordination hinders impact. Coherent policy instruments and better communication between researchers and decision-makers are essential.

A sustainable bioeconomy not only requires innovative technologies but also inclusive governance, transparent policies, and critical reflection on how biomass is sourced and used. One of the conclusions from the DESTINY Research School is that sustainability assessment is not simply a technical exercise; it is a vital connector between scientific evidence, policy decisions, and societal needs. Achieving this requires collaboration among researchers, policymakers, industry partners, and citizens.