The Italian Bioeconomy Strategy is promoted by the Presidency of the Council of Ministers. The following institutions are involved in the definition and implementation of the Strategy: Ministry for Economic Development (co-coordination); Ministry for Agricultural, Food and Forestry Policies; Ministry for Education, University and Research; Ministry for the Environment and Protection of Land and Sea; Conference of Italian Regions; Territorial Cohesion Agency; National Technology Clusters for Green Chemistry (SPRING) and the agri-food sector (CLAN).

The Strategy

The Bioeconomy deals with sustainable production of renewable biological resources, and conversion of these resources and waste streams into value-added industrial products such as food, feed, bio-based products, and bioenergy.

The Strategy offers a shared vision of environmental, economic, social and international cooperation opportunities and challenges to developing an Italian bioeconomy rooted in the territory.

The Strategy is part of the implementation processes of the National Smart Specialisation Strategy and its thematic areas “Health, Nutrition and Quality of Life” and “Smart and Sustainable Industry, Energy and Environment”. The Strategy is furthermore in synergy with the Italian National Strategy for Sustainable Development and its principles, aimed at “reconciling” environmental sustainability and economic growth.

Priorities

• Move from “sectors” to “systems”
• Create “value from local biodiversity and circularity”
• Evolve from “economy” to “sustainable economy
• Change from “idea” to “reality”
• Promote bioeconomy in the Mediterranean area.

The objective

Increase by 20% the current output of the Italian bioeconomy (about €250 billion/year) and employment level (about 1.7 million) by 2030.

National Bioeconomy Strategy updated at 20 April 2017  Italian version –  English version.