Richardson, Ben, 1982-. (2012) From a fossil-fuel to a biobased economy : the politics of industrial biotechnology. Environment and Planning C: Government and Policy, Vol.30 (No.2). pp. 282-296. ISSN 1472-3425

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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 anticorporate NGOs. Taken together, they show the purported transition from a fossil-fuel to a bio-based economy to be a resolutely political one.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor
Divisions:	Faculty of Social Sciences > Politics and International Studies
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Biotechnology -- Political aspects -- Europe, Biomass energy -- Political aspects -- Europe, Energy policy -- Europe
Journal or Publication Title:	Environment and Planning C: Government and Policy
Publisher:	Pion
ISSN:	1472-3425
Date:	2012
Volume:	Vol.30
Number:	No.2
Page Range:	pp. 282-296
Identification Number:	10.1068/c10209
Status:	Peer Reviewed
Publication Status:	Published
Access rights to Published version:	Open Access
Funder:	Economic and Social Research Council (Great Britain) (ESRC)
Related URLs:	Publisher
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URI:	http://wrap.warwick.ac.uk/id/eprint/48423

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