Conflicting narratives and power dynamics in the transition towards circular bioeconomy in Swedish regions 1

Suyash Jolly and Teis Hansen

Chapter 4 in Research Handbook of Innovation in the Circular Bioeconomy, 2025, pp 54-73 from Edward Elgar Publishing

Abstract: The transition towards a circular bioeconomy aims at addressing multiple societal goals related to addressing climate change concerns, reducing the dependence on fossil fuels, promoting economic growth in rural regions, new industry and job creation, and improving the international attractiveness of peripheral regions. Currently, pro-circular bioeconomy narratives prioritize industrial and pro-economic growth interests, and the counter-narratives prioritize ecological interests and the preservation of natural ecosystems. There is also a need to understand the emergent conflicts, contestations, and power dynamics related to the multiple and conflicting regional circular bioeconomy paths. This chapter discusses how multiple regional industry paths emerge from multiple regional actors supporting specific regional narratives. A conceptual approach is developed based on insights from the Evolutionary economic geography (EEG) and the sustainability transitions literature. The chapter discusses the conflicting narratives and the power imbalances in the transition towards a circular bioeconomy in two Swedish regions: Skåne and Värmland. The chapter concludes by providing insights for policymakers and practitioners to balance competition and collaboration between the multiple regional industry paths and the narratives linked to them by anticipating potential conflicts between the different actors and developing participatory mechanisms and networking strategies for addressing them.

Keywords: Circular bioeconomy; Sweden; Regional; Conflicting; Narratives; Power (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
ISBN: 9781035307951
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