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Towards a sustainable forest-based bioeconomy in Italy: Findings from a SWOT analysis

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  • Falcone, Pasquale Marcello
  • Tani, Almona
  • Tartiu, Valentina Elena
  • Imbriani, Cesare

Abstract

This study aims at capturing, through a multi-level perspective, potential drivers and barriers of the forest sector in Italy, in order to gain an in-depth understanding of the conditions influencing the sector's transition towards a circular bioeconomy. On the basis of this understanding, it draws potential new strategies for an effective transition. To operationalize our theoretical approach, we employed the single case study method, drawing on an in-depth literature review and a SWOT analysis (i.e. analysis of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) of the Italian forest sector, validated by expert interviews and a questionnaire survey. The results show that the most effective strategies for the transition are: improving environmental and forest planning tools by defining viable methods of circular management; promoting investment in forest infrastructure; supporting entrepreneurship programs for forest professionals; and enhancing innovative forest-based value chains. The diversity of the identified policy strategies provides evidence of the necessity for policy makers to go beyond a simple “best option” approach, given the system complexity of the forest sector.

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  • Falcone, Pasquale Marcello & Tani, Almona & Tartiu, Valentina Elena & Imbriani, Cesare, 2020. "Towards a sustainable forest-based bioeconomy in Italy: Findings from a SWOT analysis," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 110(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:forpol:v:110:y:2020:i:c:s1389934118303630
    DOI: 10.1016/j.forpol.2019.04.014
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    1. Di Letizia, Gerardo & De Lucia, Caterina & Pazienza, Pasquale & Cappelletti, Giulio Mario, 2023. "Forest bioeconomy at regional scale: A systematic literature review and future policy perspectives," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 155(C).
    2. Troxler, David & Zabel, Astrid, 2021. "Clearing forests to make way for a sustainable economy transition in Switzerland," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 129(C).
    3. Delgado-Artés, Rafael & Garófano-Gómez, Virginia & Oliver-Villanueva, José-Vicente & Rojas-Briales, Eduardo, 2022. "Land use/cover change analysis in the Mediterranean region: a regional case study of forest evolution in Castelló (Spain) over 50 years," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 114(C).
    4. Barra, Cristian & Falcone, Pasquale Marcello, 2024. "Institutional quality and bioeconomy performance in European countries: Unveiling the evidence," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 220(C).
    5. Pasquale Marcello Falcone, 2019. "Tourism-Based Circular Economy in Salento (South Italy): A SWOT-ANP Analysis," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 8(7), pages 1-16, July.
    6. Khan, Feroz & Ali, Yousaf, 2022. "Moving towards a sustainable circular bio-economy in the agriculture sector of a developing country," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 196(C).
    7. Sharma, Rozi & Malaviya, Piyush, 2023. "Ecosystem services and climate action from a circular bioeconomy perspective," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 175(C).
    8. Andrea, Veronika, 2022. "Mediterranean forest policy beyond the Paris Climate Agreement," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 112(C).

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