Based on existing concepts of (1) social-ecological systems in ecology, i.e. complex adaptive systems, (2) earth systems and environmental models, i.e. systems thinking, and (3) needs based approaches of wellbeing, i.e. empirical, we will develop a framework capable of assessing the multiple roles and impacts (social functions and environmental footprints) of bioeconomy pathways in society. We thereby aim at developing a notion of social-ecological efficiency related to strategies applied at the household level, i.e. the amount of environmental ‘goods’ and ‘bads’ required to fulfil human needs by products and services from the bioeconomy.

In Work package 2, we assess the role of the bioeconomy in the EU economy: in a multiregional input-output framework, we will assess the scale and intensity of biobased resource use by economic sectors in the economy, and compare this with fossil resource use over time (1995-2013). Furthernore, we will apply the framework (developed in WP1) and assess the related social and environmental footprints of such a (potential) biobased transition at the (selected) sector and member state level. 

In this part of the project, we will step down to the local level within selected EU member states, in order to learn about personal, economic and place-based (i.e. social-political) strategies that are applied to fulfil human needs with products and services from the bioeconomy. To this end, we will apply Max-Neef's Human Scale Development Approach in workshop settings with bioeconomy stakeholders, where we will discuss and assess how different biobased strategies relate to needs fulfilment at the personal/societal level, and how (multilpe) needs could be met more efficiently by biobased strategies in the future.

The final work package will apply the monitoring framework (developed in WP 1), as well as the results from work package 2 and 3, in order to analyse and model emerging patterns of, and necessary conditions for, (1) safe pathways - i.e. bioeconomy pathways that reduce or remain within current evironmental boundaries of the social-ecological system, (2) just pathways, i.e. bioeconomy pathways that support an increase in wellbeing in society, as well as (3) safe and just bioeconomy pathways supporting social-ecological challenges at the EU, member state and regional level in a global context.