The aim of this paper is to analyze the current and long-term effects of the European Commission Bioeconomy Strategy in order to outline possible scenarios for rural areas and evaluate their sustainability. The focus is on the main economic sectors, with particular reference to employment and turnover, in order to understand what kind of economy and jobs are intended for rural areas, as well as their territorial impacts. For this purpose, we have analyzed the main European Commission documents and datasets concerning the bioeconomy and long-term planning for rural areas, as well as the recent scientific data to verify the impact on forests. The result is that European rural areas are intended to be converted initially into large-scale biomass producers for energy and bio-based industry, according to the digitization process, and subsequently into biorefinery sites, with severe damage to landscape, environment, biodiversity, land use and local economy. Scenarios for rural areas don’t seem neither sustainable nor profitable, particularly for the peripheral countries (Southern and Eastern countries of the European Union).

From "Bioeconomy Strategy" to the "Long-term Vision" of European Commission: which sustainability for rural areas?

Ciervo, Margherita
2024-01-01

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to analyze the current and long-term effects of the European Commission Bioeconomy Strategy in order to outline possible scenarios for rural areas and evaluate their sustainability. The focus is on the main economic sectors, with particular reference to employment and turnover, in order to understand what kind of economy and jobs are intended for rural areas, as well as their territorial impacts. For this purpose, we have analyzed the main European Commission documents and datasets concerning the bioeconomy and long-term planning for rural areas, as well as the recent scientific data to verify the impact on forests. The result is that European rural areas are intended to be converted initially into large-scale biomass producers for energy and bio-based industry, according to the digitization process, and subsequently into biorefinery sites, with severe damage to landscape, environment, biodiversity, land use and local economy. Scenarios for rural areas don’t seem neither sustainable nor profitable, particularly for the peripheral countries (Southern and Eastern countries of the European Union).
2024
L’objectif de cet article est d’analyser les impacts actuels et à long terme de la stratégie de bioéconomie de la Commission européenne, afin de définir des scénarios possibles pour les zones rurales et évaluer leur durabilité. L’accent est mis sur les principaux secteurs économiques, se référant, en particulier, à l’emploi et au chiffre d’affaires, afin de comprendre quel type d’économie et d’emplois sont destinés aux zones rurales, ainsi que leurs impacts territoriaux. À cette fin, nous avons analysé les principaux documents et données de la Commission européenne concernant la bioéconomie et la planification à long terme pour les zones rurales, ainsi que les données scientifiques récentes pour vérifier l’impact sur les forêts. L’analyse révèle que les zones rurales européennes sont destinées à être converties en producteurs de biomasse à grande échelle pour l’énergie et la bio-industrie, puis en sites de bioraffineries. Ce changement est susceptible d’avoir de graves conséquences sur le paysage, l’environnement, la biodiversité, l’utilisation des terres et l’économie locale. Dès lors, les scénarios pour les zones rurales ne semblent ni durables ni rentables, en particulier pour les pays périphériques (pays du Sud et de l’Est de l’Union européenne).
Este artículo analiza los impactos actuales y a largo plazo de la Estrategia Bioeconomía de la Comisión Europea con la finalidad de definir posibles escenarios para las áreas rurales evaluando su sustentabilidad. El texto se centra en los principales sectores económicos, con especial énfasis en el empleo y los dividendos asociados a tal actividad. En esta línea, se buscó comprender tanto el tipo de economía y mercado laboral que se desarrolla en las áreas rurales como sus impactos territoriales. Para tal propósito, analizamos los principales documentos y datos de la Comisión Europea sobre bioeconomía y planificación a largo plazo para las zonas rurales y datos científicos recientes para verificar el impacto sobre los bosques. Los resultados expresan que las áreas rurales europeas están destinadas a convertirse inicialmente en productoras de biomasa a gran escala para energía y bioindustria, vinculadas al proceso de digitalización, para posteriormente orientarse a sitios de biorrefinerías, con importantes externalidades negativas en la cobertura/uso de suelo, medio ambiente, biodiversidad y economía local. Los escenarios para las áreas rurales no parecen sostenibles o rentables, particularmente para los países periféricos de la Unión Europea (Sur y Este).
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11369/452311
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