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The bioenergy sector is becoming of increasing interest: the European Union is not an exception. Indeed, it is in need of solutions to face one of the worst energy crises of the last century. The sector's growth faces numerous challenges. The main use of energy crops, as feedstock, generates stiff competition on the use of land for food and energy purposes. The production of bioenergy has relevant environmental implications in terms of greenhouse gas emissions. The social aspects related to the bioenergy sector are also potential obstacles to its development. These pressing issues for policymakers call for a better understanding on how national and international laws should regulate the growth of the bioenergy sector. Flying over the economic, environmental, social, and legislative aspects faced by the bioenergy sector, we conclude on threads, opportunities, and priorities that should be considered for its development and propose directions for future studies.

“I shop therefore I am” (R. Campbell), or putting it differently, we are what we buy, and the way we make our purchases influences the future choices of economic decision-makers. Therefore, our decisions are crucial in defining the future sustainability of the whole system. Despite the plethora of initiatives introduced to enhance consumers' consciousness, the gap between ideal and real consumption attitude still exists and is a non-negligible problem, since subjects' sustainability intention is not always followed by sustainable consumption. Therefore, by employing a natural field experiment, the present work explores consumers' real behavior toward sustainable switching. Specifically, this study examines how the impact of targeted communication leads to a market basket sustainable shift. Indeed, we observe how the consumer's basket composition varies from control (where no targeted communication is included) to treatment (where specific and detailed communication is introduced through ad-hoc on-site banner signals). Results show the positive impact of the communication; after the introduction of the communication, the share of sustainable products is higher compared with the non-sustainable set of products. As a further extension, we consider the role played by product aesthetics: even if the effect is marked for sustainable products preserving the characteristics of the conventional substitute, such effect vanishes when a subset of radically different products is considered.

Organizations falling within the category of ‘social enterprises’ are rapidly expanding in transition countries, representing an innovative instrument for poverty reduction and endogenous development. However, economic long-term sustainability remains a major problem. The acquisition of knowledge is then claimed as a key issue for their competiveness and survival in the market. A critical factor for implementing successful knowledge transfer relates to the creation of well-connected networks of relationships. Stable and collaborative contacts also allow more effective coordination, reducing the risk of dispersed and fragmented initiatives. This paper investigates, by means of social network analysis, the Albanian social enterprise sector, focusing on two network relationships: social enterprises’ networks (i.e. inter-social enterprise relationships) and supporting actors’ networks (i.e. relationships amongst social enterprises and other actors). The results are based on empirical evidence collected at the firm level from organizations operating in the Tirana and Scutari regions. Visual social network investigation, along with networks’ correlation analysis, have shown that Albanian social enterprises are poorly aware of advantages arising from their network of relationships, still showing low entrepreneurial attitudes.

This paper focuses on the development of abioplasticsinnovation niche as an important sector of thebio-based economyand a viable solution to promote sustainable long-term growth. Relying on the Strategic Niche Management framework, the following niche mechanisms are analysed: (1) convergence of expectations, (2) learning processes, and (3) networking with powerful actors in the sector. We conducted a comparative analysis, looking at Italy and Germany, two frontrunner countries in the bioplastic production who have enacted divergent policies in support of this sector. The comparative perspective has brought some interesting insights into the maturity level of the two respective niches, as well as into the emerging architectural properties of the underling social networks. Core findings show a general high level of expectations in the bioplastics sector in both countries, whereas key elements undermining the niche development refer either to the lack of policy support or to the changing and unstable institutional and regulatory framework. Regarding thearchitectural structure, the Italian network of actors was largely characterized by an active exchange of knowledge among firms, whereas the German network was characterized by the presence of several institutional actors actively participating in knowledge flows. This last result relates, in the authors’ view, to the different policy strategies followed by national governments in the two countries: the German case being characterized by large public investment in R&D, whereas the Italian case is mostly characterized by demand side policies that effectively created a market for bioplastic shoppers.

There is a major consensus on the existence of a strong relationship betweenclimate change and Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions.1–4 Within this context,technological breakthroughs can play a key role in reducing carbon emissions,boosting the development of green economies.5 However, innovations havehad only partial success in reducing negative impacts on the environmentwhile simultaneously providing positive societal and economic effects. Thesustainability of new technologies and products needs to be proven, evenwhen they utilize renewable feedstocks and especially if supported by tailoredpolicy actions.

There is a clear overall consensus among international institutions and governments on the need to scale down the reliance of the global economy on fossil fuels. Yet, a sustainable transition from a long-established regime based on rooted production and consumption models, requires tackling a wide array of challenges. Indeed, the transition towards a bio-based economy is still characterized by a high degree of complexity and uncertainty. Managing complexity and accounting for uncertainty entails appropriate and multidisciplinary tools. In this regard, sustainability certifications, standards and labels can play a pivotal role in navigating this transition, creating the conditions to ensure a level playing field between bio-based and conventional products.

This data article aims at providing a data description about the manuscript entitled “A socio-economic indicator for EoL strategies for bio-based products” [1]. Data regarding the socio-economic assessment of End of Life (EoL) options for the specific case of PLA-based film for food packaging are presented, with a special emphasis on policy recommendations and actions for the EoL practices in the bioeconomy sectors. A new framework, based on data gathering and validation through experts involvement, is proposed in order to calculate a new indicator to measure the socio-economic performance of EoL practices (SEI-EoL) for bio-based products. Experts were identified from the Horizon 2020 LIFE-funded projects and/or Scopus databases. Two rounds of survey were carried out to determine the weights of socio-economic criteria for bio-based products and the values for the selected case study. The aggregation of these data enabled us to obtain a final ranking of different EoL alternatives. Finally, a third round of survey was conducted to further deepen our understanding of actions and recommendations needed to improve EoL practices in bio-based sectors. Resulting data have a mix of quantitative and qualitative characterization. A potential reuse of these data can allow future estimations, empirical analyses or a direct comparison with the use of experimental observations.

Food security, along with growing population and the associated environmental concerns, make food waste and loss a central topic in economic analysis. While food losses occur mostly at the production, postharvest and processing phases of the supply chain, food waste takes place mainly at the end of the chain and therefore concerns primarily the habits and behaviour patterns of retailers and consumers. Many solutions and practices have been proposed and oftentimes implemented in order to “keep food out of landfills”, thus reducing food waste at the source. However, little attention has been paid to the possible sharing of consumer-side food surplus. In this context, food sharing could represent an effective way to tackle food waste at the consumers' level, with both environmental and economic potential positive effects. However, there is still little empirical evidence testing the effectiveness of introducing sharing economy approaches to reduce food waste. This study seeks to fill this gap through a framed field experiment. The authors performed two experimental treatments; in the control treatment students were asked to behave according to their regular food consumption habits, and in the food sharing treatment the same students were instructed to purchase food, cook and consume it collectively. Preliminary results showed that the adoption of food sharing practices by households do not automatically translate into food waste reduction. A number of factors, were evident from a quali-quantitative analysis of the sample (i.e. environmentally friendly behaviour, economic awareness, domestic skills and collaborative behaviors) might act as ‘enablers’ to make sharing practices more effective. The replication of our study at a larger scale will allow further investigation of the relevance of the identified enablers in order to unlock the full potential of food sharing practices.

In Europe, there is a vast amount of municipal waste available. The organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW) represents a particularly valuable part of this waste, due to its potential to be employed to produce a range of value-added products. While several studies have addressed the utilization of the OFMSW in the Italian context, an overall picture of how the circular bioeconomy (CBE) model is being implemented in Italy is lacking. Accordingly, the present study investigated the status quo of the Italian bioeconomy sector, focusing on the use of the OFMSW as feedstock. The research aimed at increasing our understanding of barriers to the effective adoption of the CBE and identifying effective policy strategies. Specifically, a fuzzy cognitive mapping technique using an artificial neural network model was used to assess the impact of both single policy measures and policy mixes on a sample of selected outcomes, including human health, the environment, profitability and biorefinery approach. The results clearly showed that excessive bureaucracy, linear logic and technology-based solutions ignoring the complex characteristics of waste planning activities were the most important variables influencing the implementation of the CBE in Italy. Moreover, the results suggested that a policy mix combining economic and financial support policies for sustainable activities alongside improvements to waste collection systems could generate the highest positive effect on all considered outcomes.

This paper investigates two transition initiatives at the local level – namely the reconversion of the Porto Marghera and Gela refineries into biorefineries for second-generation biofuels. The study aimed at assessing the extent to which the narrative pressures exerted by local actors influenced the perspectives of key stakeholders involved in these transition processes. To this end, a blended methodology was employed, combining discourse analysis with stakeholder analysis and semi-structured interviews. First, stakeholders were grouped into four categories according to the source (national/global) and channel (formal/informal) of pressure. National/informal actors emerged as the most influential group. The discourse analysis identified three dominant storylines representing complementary trajectories defined by national actors operating through informal channels. Finally, semi-structured interviews with key local actors involved in the Porto Marghera and Gela reconversions were used to assess the impact of these storylines in the reconversion processes. Comparison of the two cases revealed fundamental specificities related to their respective cultural, political and socio-economic contexts. While the Porto Marghera reconversion was presented as a consolidated success story (albeit with a number of drawbacks related to the fact that it was still mainly powered by first-generation feedstocks), the Gela case was viewed as a complex and challenging ongoing process with an uncertain outcome.

The world is confronted with the depletion of natural resources due to their unsustainable use, increased global competiveness, increasing population and other environmental and economic challenges. Under the European 2020 growth strategy launched in 2010, Europe has set itself the goal of shifting from linear to circular models of production and consumption. In this context, food waste management poses a great challenge. This study focusses on the possible destinations for food waste, specifically, on the most sustainable practices that turn waste into valuable resources. Particular attention is devoted to the potential offered by fast-growing sectors such as the bioeconomy, which is contributing to increased energy and materials production with reduced environmental impact, at the same time creating new job opportunities. In this paper we will argue that an holistic approach considering the issue of food wastage as part of a broader emerging bio-economy and circular-economic model, might provide win-win solutions able to minimize wastage, promote income growth and job creation, and prompt sustainable local development. However, in order to enable an effective transition to a circular bioeconomy able to minimize the impact of food wastage, the economic, social, and environmental sustainability of this new model must be properly evaluated through appropriate tools, e.g. through an overall Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment (LCSA).

International institutions are calling for a transition towards more sustainable systems of production and consumption. In this transition, sustainable innovations are expected to play an ever‐increasing role. In particular, the production of innovative bio‐based products—products wholly or partly derived from biological materials or from innovative production processes and/or innovative biomass such as food waste or forest residuals—will be part of this process. However, the sustainability of such products must be assured along their entire life cycle and across the three dimensions mentioned above. Against this background, our study aimed at identifying a social impact framework tailored to bio‐based products. It employed a two‐step methodological framework encompassing (a) identification of the relevant social impact categories, subcategories, and indicators and (b) validation of these factors, according to participatory stakeholder involvement. The validation exercise enabled us to consider a restricted number of social indicators so as to reduce the amount of data needed for assessing and decreasing related costs The authors are very grateful to the STAR‐ProBio project (Sustainability Transition Assessment and Research of Bio‐based Products) for their financial support. The project is funded by the European Union's Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme under Grant Agreement 727740, Work Programme BB‐01‐2016: Sustainability schemes for the bio‐based economy SI

The emergence of the bioeconomy is an important result of the need for a more sustainable economy for the 21st century. However, achieving the paradigm shift from the established fossil-based economy toward a bio-based economy is an ambitious goal. To accelerate the shift, consumers need to understand how and where scientifically proven “sustainability” outputs are available. This will allow sustainability to become a successful market driver. The present study focuses on the market assessment of bio-based products, to gain insight into which sustainability aspects are important to stakeholders. It summarizes the results of different foresight methods, including a two-round Delphi survey, to identify sustainably assessment preferences of end-consumers and professionals and their influence on buying decisions. The results show that both private individuals and professionals consider a broad spectrum of criteria important for sustainability. Being able to prove and communicate that sustainability criteria are met will be a key acceptance driver for bio-based products.

In recent years, the bioeconomy has received increased attention from policy makers and practitioners, leading to a first switch from fossil to bio-based products. To open up new market opportunities, transparent information on the sustainability of bio-based products must be provided, taking into account all life cycle stages. The determination of suitable end of life (EoL) strategies furthers this aim. Notably, the socio-economic aspects of EoL alternatives associated with bio-based products have been neglected. This paper contributes to filling this gap by proposing a new socio-economic indicator for EoL (SEI-EoL). The SEI-EoL is developed from an integrated analytic hierarchy process–multicriteria decision analysis (AHP-MCDA) model based on experts' involvement, and is capable of measuring and comparing the socio-economic performance of EoL alternatives for bio-based products. The SEI-EoL is applied to the specific case of polylactic acid (PLA)–based film for food packaging. The results indicate that value chain actors are the most influential category of stakeholders in EoL management, and the assessment of criteria shows that waste disposal cost, resource efficiency and EoL responsibility play a key role in this management. The highest value EoL strategy for PLA-based film for food packaging is mechanical recycling, followed by chemical recycling. Circularity assessment, policy maker responsibility and incentives for recycled materials/green processes represent the most relevant items to consider for policy recommendations and actions.

Grand societal challenges call for a sustainability transition away from a fossil-based society toward a bioeconomy, in which energy and manufacturing production processes are based on sustainable biological resources. In this context, the forest bioeconomy can play a key role, as it links the entire forest value chain, from the management and use of natural resources to the delivery of products and services. The paper adds to the existing literature on policy mixes, seeking to identify effective policy mixes in support of the European circular forest bioeconomy. To this end, we employ a two-step methodology involving a fuzzy inference simulation, to assess the most suitable policy mixes to promote forest sector development. We considered different scenarios in order to identifying the most suitable policy mix. This analysis of alternatives revealed a number of interesting findings regarding the relative effectiveness of different policy mixes. Strengthening environmental policy resulted to be a precondition for an effective policy mix. According to stakeholder knowledge, the policy mix that performs best in pushing the bio-based forest to evolve in a circular and innovative trajectory, combines “climate mitigation policies” with “sustainable forest management policies,” “R&D policies” and “awareness raising policies.”

The sustainability of bio-based products, especially when compared with fossil based products, must be assured. The life cycle approach has proven to be a promising way to analyze the social, economic and environmental impacts of bio-based products along the whole value chain. Until now, however, the social aspects have been under-investigated in comparison to environmental and economic aspects. In this context, the present paper aims to identify the main social impact categories and indicators that should be included in a social sustainability assessment of bio-based products, with a focus on the consumers’ category. To identify which social categories and indicators are most relevant, we carry out a literature review on existing social life cycle studies; this is followed by a focus group with industrial experts and academics. Afterwards, we conduct semi-structured interviews with some consumer representatives to understand which social indicators pertaining to consumers are perceived as relevant. Our findings highlight the necessity for the development and dissemination of improved frameworks capable of exploiting the consumers’ role in the ongoing process of market uptake of bio-based products. More specifically, this need regards the effective inclusion of some social indicators (i.e., end users’ health and safety, feedback mechanisms, transparency, and end-of-life responsibility) in the social life cycle assessment scheme for bio-based products. This would allow consumers, where properly communicated, to make more informed and aware purchasing choices, therefore having a flywheel effect on the market diffusion of a bio-based product.

According to the UN estimates, world population will increase to over 8 billion by 2030. Increasing demand for food and raw materials will place additional pressure on limited natural resources. In this context, the current levels of food waste in advanced economies are no longer economically, socially and environmentally sustainable over the long term. Structural changes will be needed along the whole supply chain as well as in consumers’ attitudes and behaviours. The sharing economy is actually playing an important role in trying to achieve more sustainable patterns, also within the food sector. In particular, several initiatives and start-ups are being developed in the US and Europe, involving the collection and use of the excess of food from consumers and retailers and the promotion of collaborative consumption models. However, the correlation between food sharing practices and reduced food waste cannot be taken for granted. This chapter identified the literacy contours of this relationship, highlighting how food sharing is frequently undermined by social factors and that to make it effective specific skills are needed. Moreover, a major effort towards general routines and practices, which underpin individual-level behavior, is required to tackle food waste in a more effective manner.

End of Life (EoL) management represents a great challenge to develop new opportunities towards sustainability. Indeed, international institutions, organizations, academics, researchers and practitioners highlighted the importance of EoL management, since it is associated with relevant environmental, social and economic impacts. Yet, the appraisal of EoL alternatives represents a particularly complex task to address due to the difficulties arising from the assessment of social and economic key-criteria. In this regard, several gaps related to bio-based products have been stressed by the literature, especially with reference to socio-economic indicators. This report focuses on the existing EoL options with the aim of identifying key community priorities for sustainable EoL management of bio-based products. This is achieved by developing a win-win asset-based model that has been tested on a selected case study, i.e. Poly Lactic Acid (PLA)-based packaging film. The results show that recycling (both mechanical and chemical) is the best EoL option for the considered product.

Efforts to promote a sustainable bioeconomy seek to enable markets that create value from renewable resources while satisfying sustainability requirements. Despite recent progress in several European countries in launching strategies to support a bioeconomy, market demand for bio-based products remains moderate. More analysis is required to better understand the drivers and barriers for enabling consumer demand for bio-based products, in particular as this relates to consumers’ sustainability concerns. A previous report developed within the scope of the STAR-ProBio project has presented the results of two rounds of a Delphi survey aimed at better understanding the sustainability preferences of procurement professionals and end consumers. Building on these results, the following tasks were completed: a third and final round of the Delphi survey was conducted with procurement professionals and a framed field experiment was conducted with end consumers to identify their willingness to pay a premium for different types of bio-based products with and without sustainability certification. This report presents the results from these tasks. In particular, it covers findings on the following: i) the relevance of information on final disposal and ii) preferences regarding information on the bio-based raw materials used, including questions related to the share and origin of bio-based raw materials and the form in which this information is communicated. In addition, the report discusses survey results on sustainability principles and potential policy options to promote the demand for bio-based products. The field experiment conducted on three products, i.e. coloured pens, hand soap and food storage bags shows that on average end consumers assign a higher price for bio-based products than conventional ones.