Indicators to monitor and evaluate the sustainability of bioeconomy

Abstract

This report reviews existing approaches for monitoring and evaluation of bioeconomy activities in order to identify already available indicators, from which the authors compiled two comprehensive lists: one listing indicators at the territorial level, including bioeconomy-relevant Sustainable Development Goals indicators; the other mentioning indicators at the product/value chain level, including indicators used for standards, certificates and labels. According to the report, almost fifty countries have placed the promotion of the bioeconomy on their political agendas. However, bioeconomy activities are not necessarily sustainable. For this reason, FAO developed a set of Aspirational Principles and Criteria for Sustainable Bioeconomy, through which it seeks to provide technical assistance to countries in developing and monitoring the sustainability of bioeconomy activities. To conclude, the authors propose a stepwise approach to select indicators for monitoring and evaluating the sustainability of the bioeconomy as a possible way forward to help countries and practitioners in their monitoring and evaluation efforts. This approach includes stakeholder engagement, the choice of the relevant territorial level, as well as effective communication of the results.