The bioeconomy: a new productive and economic model for Latin America and the Caribbean

Bioeconomybioeconomy is receiving increasing attention as an alternative to a global transition to sustainable fossil-free development. The sustainable and circular bioeconomy bioeconomy has a major role to play here in aligning the economy with the biosphere as it responds to the environmental challenges the world is facing. This chapter explores the bioeconomy bioeconomy as a model that encompasses the environment (natural world, biological resources,biological resources and their interactions with human activity), as well as biotechnologiesbiotechnologies (use of biological organisms, processes or systems to obtain goods and services) and their convergence with digital and nanotechnologies technologies. It strengthens the eco-efficiencyeco-efficiency of processes and the use of recycled carbon to reduce the use of fossil carbon. A sustainable bioeconomy bioeconomy requires sustainable supply chains and appropriate transforming biotechnologiesbiotechnologies for processing renewable resourcesrenewable resources into high value added bioproductsbioproducts, materials and bioenergy. Biotechnology and other converging technologies should provide support to the development of the bio-based industries to ensure sustainability sustainabilityof the sector and to reduce possible negative environmental impactsenvironmentalimpact. The bioeconomy’sbioeconomy maintenance lies in its diversity, adaptability and close interactions with local and rural communities. The challenges ahead for humanity are multiple, complex and interconnected. Dealing with them requires systemic thinking and acting and the bioeconomy bioeconomy provides such an approach. There is no second planet. The bioeconomybioeconomy can allow us to preserve the only one we have.