Why does the bioeconomy need an integrated global approach?

The G20 (Group of Twenty) is a forum of 19 major economies plus the European Union, representing about 80% of global gross domestic product (GDP) and two-thirds of the world’s population. It brings together the world’s largest advanced and emerging economies to coordinate policies on global economic, financial, and sustainability issues. The Netherlands is often invited by the host country, because it is a large player in international trade, especially in the field of agriculture and food.

Within the G20, the Meeting of Agricultural Chief Scientists (MACS) provides a platform for chief agricultural scientists to exchange knowledge and shape international agendas on agriculture, food security, and sustainability. Wageningen University & Research (WUR) is closely connected, as it is a leading university in this field and has alumni all over the world.

Dutch representation at G20 Meeting of MACS

Hans van Meijl is a special professor in Macroeconomic Assessment of the Circular and Bioeconomy at WUR. He uses large-scale global economic models to calculate the effects of policies and market developments. ‘Around 2000, the rise of biofuels became a turning point,’ he explains. ‘The WUR was among the first to study what this extra non-food demand meant for land use, food prices, and biodiversity. That discussion drew me into this field.’

For the past four years, Van Meijl has represented the Netherlands at the MACS-G20 . There, leading agricultural scientists from Member States meet to exchange knowledge and help shape international policy agendas. ‘In 2025, bioeconomy was one of the four main themes, and interestingly, this was done by South Africa,’ he says.

‘For the MACS that took place end May 2025, the Netherlands was asked to write a paper on the bioeconomy. The official statements coming out of this meeting were presented in the week of 15 September when the G20 Agricultural Ministerial took place.’ 

Key insights

According to Van Meijl, the bioeconomy must always be viewed holistically, not only through the lens of non-food applications (such as biofuels, biomaterials, bioplastics, chemicals, or energy), but also in relation to food production and forestry. ‘The bioeconomy can contribute to societal goals such as food security, biodiversity, rural employment, reduced fossil dependence, and climate mitigation.’

At the same time, there are risks. Van Meijl: ‘A narrow focus on non-food can lead to higher food prices or loss of nature. But food security is a basic human need. At the same time, you can do many other things with biomass. It’s always about weighing where each kilo of biomass delivers the greatest societal value.’

That balance differs per region. ‘In Africa, where food security is central, the priorities are different than in Europe, where emission reduction is the main driver. A broad definition allows for tailored approaches. Without that perspective, you miss the interconnections and risk making the wrong choices.’

Careful design

The advantages of the bioeconomy are considerable. It can strengthen food security, restore biodiversity, create jobs, reduce fossil dependence, and contribute to climate goals. But Van Meijl cautions: ‘If you stimulate the bioeconomy too narrowly, you run into indirect effects. Extra demand for biomass can lead to higher food prices or the loss of nature. That’s why policy must be designed carefully, always keeping the bigger picture in mind.’

Priorities and international cooperation

In the Netherlands, the emphasis is often on emission reduction and economic added value, especially for the chemical and biomaterials sectors. Van Meijl: ‘Food security isn’t a major theme in our country, except for low-income households in times with high food and energy prices. But in the G20, you see African countries linking the bioeconomy much more strongly to food security and rural incomes. For them, the question is: how can farmers earn enough to buy fertilizer or feed their families? For them, the bioeconomy is much closer to daily reality.’

These differing priorities make international cooperation essential. ‘If production declines in the Netherlands, it likely increases elsewhere. That shifts the pressure on biodiversity and food security to other countries. That’s why we use global models: you need to include effects along the entire chain.’

Local communities at the center

Van Meijl stresses that the bioeconomy isn’t just a national agenda — it also plays out at the regional and local level. In his view, it’s not simply a matter of carrying out policies designed in The Hague or Brussels. Local communities need to be part of shaping what the bioeconomy should look like in their own area.

‘Every region has its own specific conditions,’ he explains. ‘So, you really must ask: what do we want to achieve here? What’s the priority? Is it food security, boosting biodiversity, creating jobs, or producing more biomass? For instance, if a region decides to grow fast-growing trees to increase biomass, that can be positive, but it also has consequences — those trees might consume a lot of water or reduce biodiversity. In other words, you need to think carefully about the trade-offs and make sure the benefits outweigh the downsides.’

Ultimately, he argues that local communities play a vital role to play in the bioeconomy because it touches the very core of their lives — what they eat, how they make a living, and the landscape they live in. It’s not just about implementation; it’s about co-creating strategies that make sense locally.

Bridging science and policy

Van Meijl sees a relatively strong connection between science and policy in the Netherlands. ‘We provide data, models, and impact assessments on, for example, biomass availability and the effects of policy choices. Because our work is demand-driven, our results align well with what policymakers need and often find their way into strategies, parliamentary debates, and policy documents.’

‘That close relationship with policy is a major strength. Because we work on a project basis, we stay close to current issues and concrete policy questions. Our analyses provide the foundation on which decisions can be made and help policymakers make well-informed choices.’

LAN as driver of international cooperation

Internationally, the Netherlands Agricultural Network (LAN) plays a key role in positioning the Netherlands. Van Meijl has seen this firsthand: ‘At the G20 in South Africa, I worked very closely with the LAN team at the Dutch Embassy. They were involved in the entire preparation and helped get the bioeconomy high on the agenda. Thanks to their efforts, I was not only able to attend as the Dutch representative but also deliver the keynote. That really made a difference.’

This cooperation goes beyond meetings. ‘During such a mission, you also visit companies and governments. The Agricultural Counselor and his or her LAN team organize these visits, bring the right people together, and open doors that would otherwise remain closed. In South Africa, for example, they brought together Dutch and South African parties from companies to ministries. That created opportunities for knowledge exchange, trade, and joint projects.’

The same happened earlier in Brazil and India. ‘In Brazil, the Dutch Embassy and the Agricultural Counselor organized a symposium with policymakers, Dutch companies, and knowledge institutions. In India, we saw the same. Such networks are invaluable: they connect science, policy, and business, while also serving local needs.’

According to Van Meijl, the LAN teams are often the quiet drivers of international cooperation. ‘They have contacts with ministries, companies, and organizations in the host country. That enables them to act quickly and bring our Dutch knowledge and technology to the right places adapted to local needs. Their role is to bring interests together, both Dutch and local.’

An integrated policy framework

Van Meijl stresses the importance of an integrated policy framework. ‘You must explicitly link societal goals to the use of biomass. If you want to use more biomass, for example for biobased chemicals, you must first ask: what are the effects on emissions, employment, agriculture, and biodiversity?’

For this, WUR uses economic models, often on a global scale. ‘The Netherlands imports and exports a lot. If we reduce production here, it increases elsewhere. That can cause greater harm there. International models show how choices in one country affect others.’

In Europe, impact assessments are often already required. ‘That should become the standard internationally as well. You must calculate policies in advance and smooth out the sharp edges. That way you avoid discovering after implementation that the downsides outweigh the benefits.’

A global trend

Is the bioeconomy mainly a European idea or a global movement? ‘The number of countries with a bioeconomy strategy is growing rapidly,’ says Van Meijl. ‘I estimate there are now around sixty countries with a strategy, making it a global movement. Europe was one of the forerunners of this, but Brazil and South Africa are moving quickly. Interest is driven by climate change and geopolitical crises that drive up food prices. As a result, the bioeconomy is higher on the global agenda than ever.’

This international momentum also means the Netherlands cannot sit back. ‘We are a knowledge-intensive country, but we face limits: land here is scarce and environmental thresholds are strict. Still, we can contribute internationally by making our knowledge, technology, and plant materials available. Other countries benefit, and so do we.’

Three messages for policymakers

Van Meijl summarizes his message in three points:

1. Think holistically and context-specifically. Each strategy must be tailored to local conditions, biomass, and societal goals. What works in the Netherlands does not automatically work in countries in Africa or Asia.

2. Work with policy packages and impact assessments. If you stimulate non-food uses, combine them with measures for food security and biodiversity. Calculate the effects in advance and compensate where necessary. Then you can prevent policy from backfiring.

3. Anchor policy locally and internationally. Actively involve communities and use networks such as LAN to connect science, policy, and trade. They open doors and ensure that Dutch knowledge is shared globally.

His conclusion is hopeful: ‘The bioeconomy can serve many societal goals at once—from food security and biodiversity to climate and employment. If we keep the interconnections in mind and design policy wisely, we can make major progress. The knowledge, the technology, and the motivation are there. Now it’s a matter of working together and seizing the opportunities.’

More information

For more information about Wageningen University & Research and their work on bioeconomy, you can visit their website.