Do bioenergy, bioeconomy and circular economy systems mitigate climate change? Insights from life cycle assessment

Bioeconomy and circular systems have been interpreted as economic systems that yield more sustainable outcomes than others. This chapter demonstrates that neither system implies a more sustainable outcome, such that each case warrants critical appraisal independently. Largely, preferability for circular or bio-based systems rests on the impact under assessment, as bio-based systems are more taxing for impacts like acidification and eutrophication, but lower in climate change and toxicity. In this way, generalisations regarding the superiority or otherwise of bio-based or circular products may not support robust transitions towards sustainable production and consumption systems. With reference to contrasting energy systems biofuels and fossil fuels, it is shown with life cycle assessment that bioenergy systems are not always preferable for climate change. It is important to apply hard systems approaches to elucidate the merits or otherwise of production systems alternative to current linear and fossil ones.