Bioeconomy for food and agriculture: A global stocktaking study

Albinelli, I.; Gomez San Juan, M.; Lester, G.; Nijmeijer, M.; Neretin, L.;

Bioeconomy for food and agriculture: A global stocktaking study

Year of publication 2024

Place of publication Rome, Italy ;

Pages 156 p.

Author Albinelli, I.; Gomez San Juan, M.; Lester, G.; Nijmeijer, M.; Neretin, L.;

Publisher FAO ;

Product type Book (series)

ISBN 978-92-5-139128-0

Series title Environment and Natural Resources Management Working Paper

Series number No. 101

Full item page

To cite or share https://doi.org/10.4060/cd2490en

Synopsis (short abstract) The global bioeconomy landscape is diverse, reflecting various national and regional interpretations and visions. This study has conducted a global review of national and regional bioeconomy strategies, with a focus on sustainability objectives, definitions, priority areas, activities, and governance mechanisms. It highlights FAO's role in advancing a sustainable bioeconomy within the food and agriculture sectors. The study concludes by identifying gaps and opportunities in global bioeconomy development to guide FAO and its Members in shaping the transition to a sustainable global bioeconomy for food and agriculture.The concept of bioeconomy is gaining significant global traction, evolving from its early focus on resource substitution and biotechnological innovation to a more comprehensive and cross-cutting model for sustainable development. This perspective underscores its transformative potential, aiming to reshape the existing economic paradigm into one that is economically, environmentally, and socially sustainable. However, bioeconomy is not inherently sustainable. Realizing its potential requires robust governance that ensures alignment with societal goals. Increased biomass demand, central to bioeconomy development, poses challenges such as resource competition and international trade impacts.Without assessing the economic, environment and social sustainability of the bioeconomy, this transition risks exacerbating global inequalities related to resource access, environmental degradation and land rights.This study was prepared by the Office of Climate Change, Biodiversity and Environment of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), within the framework of its Programme Priority Area bioeconomy for sustainable food and agriculture. The insights gathered aim to guide FAO in shaping the strategic direction of its corporate area of work on bioeconomy, strengthening the role of agrifood systems in driving the transformative potential of the bioeconomy across other sectors.

Last updated 02/12/2024, see corrigendum.

Cite this content as:

Albinelli, I., Gomez San Juan, M., Lester, G., Nijmeijer, M. & Neretin, L. 2024. Bioeconomy for food and agriculture: A global stocktaking study. Environment and Natural Resources Management Working Paper, No. 101. Rome, FAO.

https://doi.org/10.4060/cd2490en

Read on Google Books and buy online

Language English

Related items

Showing items related by metadata.

Book (stand-alone)

Bioeconomy for sustainable food and agriculture: a global opportunity
Position paper
2024

Also available in:

No results found.

This paper has been prepared by FAO to inform the current discussions on bioeconomy including in the G20 Initiative on Bioeconomy (GIB). It focuses specifically on how bioeconomy can ensure food security and nutrition and, at the same time, on the need to transform agrifood systems to advance the sustainable development of the bioeconomy.Global coordination and cooperation are an integral part of sustainable bioeconomy development. There is a need to implement agreed principles, criteria and monitoring systems that jointly address all dimensions of sustainability, to balance the trade-offs that can lead to the unsustainable implementation of the bioeconomy. Multilateral institutions have an important role to play in tailoring these sustainable bioeconomy tools and guidelines in different contexts globally, while providing a neutral platform where all countries and stakeholders have a central role in shaping the future bioeconomy. In this context the paper also contributes to the discussions around a set of High-Level Principles on Bioeconomy at the GIB. It presents an overview of FAO’s work on bioeconomy, resources and networks, and provides lessons learned and recommendations for both G20 Members and globally.
Book (stand-alone)

World Food Forum Global Youth Action initiative
Results report 2024
2025

Also available in:

No results found.

Within the framework of the World Food Forum (WFF), the Global Youth Action initiative harnesses the passion and power of youth, and incites positive action for agrifood systems through youth empowerment. It acts as a catalytic movement and driver of youth engagement in agrifood governance, and serves as a knowledge centre and innovation lab, fostering and inspiring youth-led solutions. It thus actively contributes to the implementation of the United Nations Youth 2030 Strategy and enhances youth engagement in the follow-up to the 2021 United Nations Food Systems Summit.In 2024, the WFF Global Youth Action initiative entered its fourth year, embarking on a transformative journey towards a world with good food for all, for today and tomorrow. Throughout the year, it remained steadfast in its mission to empower young people to drive transformation within agrifood systems and address climate challenges at both local and global scales. Through expanded multigenerational initiatives, deeper collaborations and greater inclusivity, the WFF Global Youth Action initiative strove to create lasting impact in the journey towards a more sustainable and equitable food future for all.
Project

Enhancing Responsible Investment in Agriculture and Food Systems - GCP/INT/920/GER 2020

Also available in:

No results found.

Increasing investment in agriculture and food systems is critical to achieving the first two Sustainable Development Goals, the eradication of hunger and poverty. However, not only more, also better investments are required, which sustainably benefit livelihoods, the environment and communities. Against this background, a series of capacity assessments conducted by FAO have highlighted the need for targeted activities to strengthen the commitment and capacities of key stakeholders to improve the enabling environment (institutional, legal, policy and incentives frameworks) for responsible investment in agriculture and food systems. This project, which is part of the Umbrella Programme: “Supporting Responsible Investments in Agriculture and Food Systems” (PGM/MUL/2017-2021/RAI), assists in tackling these issues by advocating for, and supporting the application of the Committee on World Food Security Principles for Responsible Investment in Agriculture and Food Systems (CFS-RAI). The CFS-RAI is the first global agreement that defines how to enhance and carry out responsible investments, in order to contribute to sustainable development, and bring benefits to all actors involved, including communities, farmers, investors and the broader environment.