Scales of progress, power and potential in the US bioeconomy. (1st October 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Devaney, Laura; Iles, Alastair
• Is Part Of: Journal of cleaner production. Volume 233(2019)
• Page Start: 379
• Page End: 389
• Publication Date: 2019-10-01
• Subjects: Bioeconomy -- Governance -- United States -- Development lock-in -- Stakeholder power -- Polycentricity; Factory and trade waste -- Management -- Periodicals; Manufactures -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Déchets industriels -- Gestion -- Périodiques; Usines -- Aspect de l'environnement -- Périodiques; 628.5
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.05.393
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0959-6526

Abstract

Abstract: For the past 15 years, countries worldwide have sought to build 'bioeconomies', or manufacturing sectors that use renewable biomass resources to produce fuels, chemicals, and materials. As a still-evolving concept, the bioeconomy has been translated differently in different national contexts. In this article, we focus on the United States. The US bioeconomy comprises a highly decentralised, disconnected, fragmented system, with some US locales much more active than others. We argue that the marginal status of the US bioeconomy can be attributed to a number of factors. These include the lack of awareness and implementation of existing federal government visions; development pathway dependencies linked to investments in fossil- and bio-fuels to the neglect of other biobased products; and uneven and locked in levels of stakeholder power and influence. Drawing on the results of 16 key informant interviews, we explore these themes in an attempt to unravel some of the complex conditions that have shaped bioeconomy development and governance to date. We suggest that, for the US bioeconomy to realize its full potential, exploration of a new governance model is required: a polycentric regime based on biomass regions, collaborative efforts and innovation capabilities. Highlights: Bioeconomy development and governance has been uneven and differentiated worldwide. The US bioeconomy is highly decentralised, disconnected and fragmented nationwide. Federal government visions have failed to gain traction and widespread consensus. Locked-in development pathways and stakeholder relations impede holistic bioeconomy progress. A polycentric governance regime, clustering states into bioeconomy regions, has potential.