Bio-economic Power in Global Supply Chains: Approaches, Impacts and Perspectives on Certification and Due Diligence for Biogenic Mass Raw Materials (Bio-Power)

The overall objective of the project is to formulate recommendations for action regarding the possibilities and limits of corporate due diligence and certification systems in the global value chains of biogenic mass raw materials. Germany and the European Union (EU) are highly dependent on the import of various biogenic mass raw materials. Many of these raw materials used in the food sector as well as in industrial production and energy use. It is well known that the extraction and production of bulk commodities in non-OECD countries is closely associated with social and environmental problems. These problems range from the excessive use of agrochemicals to the financing of armed conflicts. In order to achieve a bioeconomic transformation, the challenge is to influence today’s situation as well as the medium- to long-term impacts and exploitation of increasing demand, while simultaneously maintaining important ecosystem services, minimizing conflict potential and increasing global socio-economic opportunities.

• Project leader: Prof. Dr. Lena Partzsch
• Project partner: Öko-Institut e.V.
• Duration: 2017-2020
• Funder: German Federal Ministry of Research and Education