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Driving Sustainability: Circular Bioeconomy and Governance in Andalusia (Southern Spain)

Author

Listed:
  • Samir Sayadi Gmada

    (Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IFAPA), 18080 Granada, Spain)

  • Mar Cátedra

    (Ministry of Agriculture, Water, Fisheries and Rural Development, 41013 Seville, Spain)

  • Carmen Capote

    (Ministry of Agriculture, Water, Fisheries and Rural Development, 41013 Seville, Spain)

  • Carlos Parra-López

    (Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IFAPA), 18080 Granada, Spain)

  • María García

    (Technology Corporation of Andalusia, 41092 Seville, Spain)

  • Carmen Ronchel

    (Technology Corporation of Andalusia, 41092 Seville, Spain)

  • Rafael Dueñas-Sánchez

    (Technology Corporation of Andalusia, 41092 Seville, Spain)

  • Esther Ortiz

    (TRAGSATEC, 41016 Sevilla, Spain)

  • Milagros Argüelles

    (TRAGSATEC, 41016 Sevilla, Spain)

  • José Luis Cruz

    (Madrid Institute for Rural, Agriculture and Food Research and Development, 28013 Madrid, Spain)

Abstract

Environmental degradation remains an increasingly urgent challenge, leading to focused debates at the Rio+20 conference (2012) on how to operationalise sustainability. This conference’s central theme was the green economy and the role of institutions in driving the transition to a more sustainable model. Today, concepts such as the green economy, circular economy, bioeconomy, and circular bioeconomy (CBE) are integral to institutional efforts towards sustainable development. The CBE has significant potential as a driver of sustainability. This article examines the challenges, opportunities, and governance structures that the Andalusian (Southern Spain) public administration is implementing in the context of the CBE. The findings are based on qualitative methods, with a comprehensive literature review, semi-structured interviews, and workshops with different stakeholders from the quadruple helix model, conducted as part of the ROBIN project and other related projects. The results systematises the main weaknesses and strengths collected during the fieldwork in terms of the tools of governance. The conclusions highlight the need to develop this model and outline the actions needed to develop the CBE further.

Suggested Citation

  • Samir Sayadi Gmada & Mar Cátedra & Carmen Capote & Carlos Parra-López & María García & Carmen Ronchel & Rafael Dueñas-Sánchez & Esther Ortiz & Milagros Argüelles & José Luis Cruz, 2025. "Driving Sustainability: Circular Bioeconomy and Governance in Andalusia (Southern Spain)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(7), pages 1-22, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:7:p:3128-:d:1626020
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    References listed on IDEAS

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