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From a Fossil-Fuel to a Biobased Economy: The Politics of Industrial Biotechnology

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  • Ben Richardson

    (Department of Politics and International Studies, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, England)

Abstract

Industrial biotechnology involves the replacement of petrochemical processes and inputs with more energy-efficient and renewable biological ones. It is already being used in the production of biofuels and bioplastics and has been touted as a means by which modern economies can be shifted toward a more competitive, low-carbon growth model. This paper does two things. First, it outlines the policy framework established in the European Union and the narrative of a knowledge-based bioeconomy (KBBE) underpinning this. Second, it argues that the ‘win–win’ rhetoric contained within the KBBE narrative is misleading. Among the different groups commenting on the use of industrial biotechnology, the paper locates cleavages between farmers and agribusiness, between those convinced and those sceptical of environmental technofixes, and between procorporate and anti-corporate NGOs. Taken together, they show the purported transition from a fossil-fuel to a bio-based economy to be a resolutely political one.

Suggested Citation

  • Ben Richardson, 2012. "From a Fossil-Fuel to a Biobased Economy: The Politics of Industrial Biotechnology," Environment and Planning C, , vol. 30(2), pages 282-296, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:envirc:v:30:y:2012:i:2:p:282-296
    DOI: 10.1068/c10209
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Sarah Pilgrim & Mark Harvey, 2010. "Battles over Biofuels in Europe: NGOs and the Politics of Markets," Sociological Research Online, , vol. 15(3), pages 45-60, August.
    2. Kean Birch & Les Levidow & Theo Papaioannou, 2010. "Sustainable Capital ? The Neoliberalization of Nature and Knowledge in the European “Knowledge-based Bio-economy”," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 2(9), pages 1-21, September.
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    Cited by:

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    2. Lovrić, Marko & Lovrić, Nataša & Mavsar, Robert, 2020. "Mapping forest-based bioeconomy research in Europe," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 110(C).

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