Circular bioeconomy: A review of empirical practices across implementation scales

The European Commission has endorsed the transition to a circular bioeconomy as a crucial initiative to achieve a sustainable and climate-neutral European Union. However, this transition is inherently complex, as it involves environmental and social risks, physical limitations, and trade-offs between different dimensions of sustainability. In this context, effective monitoring and modelling of the bioeconomy are essential tools to inform decision-making at various implementation scales. This article reviews empirical research on the monitoring and modelling of the bioeconomy and their implications for decision-making across three main implementation scales: macro (national-global level); meso (regional-city level); and micro (single product, company level). The contribution of this research is twofold: First, it explores existing gaps in the field through the lens of policy implementation levels. Research gaps include the uneven distribution of indicators among sustainability pillars, the lack of standardised monitoring frameworks at the meso and micro levels, and attribution issues in bioeconomy modelling. Second, the article outlines a comprehensive research agenda, indicating specific research lines and their relevance to different implementation scales. Key research avenues, significant at all implementation scales, include enhancing the life cycle perspective, visualising trade-offs and synergies between Sustainable Development Goals, monetising externalities, and further delving into social aspects.