Knowledge-based greening as a new bioeconomy strategy for development: Agroecological Utopia or revolution?

Abstract

The paper starts with definitions of the concepts of “green economy” and “greening” and an introduction into their complexity, leading to the formulation of a “greening alphabet.” Then, based on a historical review and the experiences of the speaker, examples of pathways to greening are presented and mapped with the help of a simple model. The paper advocates the focus on green, knowledge-based bioeconomy as a new development model for the crisis-plagued Southern European and Mediterranean economies and societies. To assess the feasibility of this shift, several strategic factors have been identified as critical, along with driving forces, barriers, and scenarios for growth. These factors include research modes and contents, the broader policy environment, required skills, fragmentation risks, and societal factors, especially related to stakeholders’ involvement and consensus building. Some key points on the revolutionary character of adopting the green bioeconomy-based strategy are raised as concluding remarks, with particular reference to Southern European regions.