Understanding the Transition to a Bio-Based Economy: Exploring Dynamics Linked to the Agricultural Sector in Sweden

Therese Bennich, Salim Belyazid, Birgit Kopainsky and Arnaud Diemer
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Therese Bennich: Department of Physical Geography, Stockholm University, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
Salim Belyazid: Department of Physical Geography, Stockholm University, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
Birgit Kopainsky: System Dynamics Group, Department of Geography, University of Bergen, Postboks 7802, 5020 Bergen, Norway
Arnaud Diemer: Center for Studies and Research on Internal Development (CERDI), University of Clermont Auvergne, FR-320, 63009 Clermont-Ferrand, France

Sustainability, 2018, vol. 10, issue 5, 1-22

Abstract: There is a growing interest in the bio-based economy, evident in the policy domain as well as in the academic literature. Its proponents consider it an opportunity to address multiple societal challenges, and the concept has broad reach across different sectors of society. However, a potential transition process is also linked to areas of risk and uncertainty, and the need for interdisciplinary research and for the identification of potential trade-offs and synergies between parallel visions of the bio-based economy have been emphasized. The aim of this paper is to contribute to addressing this gap by using an approach combining tools for systems analysis with expert interviews. Focusing specifically on dynamics in the agricultural sector in Sweden, an integrated understanding of the social and ecological processes contributing to or hindering a transition in this area is developed, high order leverage points are identified, and potential impacts of proposed interventions explored. The paper also considers cross-sectoral linkages between the forestry and agricultural sectors.

Keywords: sustainability transitions; systems analysis; causal loop diagrams; bio-based economy; bio-economy; agriculture (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (7)

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