Implementation of the Finnish Bioeconomy Strategy

Case - Published 13.10.2014

The Finnish Bioeconomy Strategy compiles the actions required to develop the bioeconomy. The aim is to focus existing and new policy actions to support the growth of a sustainable bioeconomy and remove obstacles from its path. Having a strong will is not enough to reach the set goals for the bioeconomy. Determined action is required in the government, research and development as well as in the private sector.

The bioeconomy cannot be contained within existing traditional industrial or administrative boundaries. Hence novel thinking and operational models, which cross the industrial and administrative boundaries, are required to advance the bioeconomy.

The Finnish Bioeconomy Strategy will be implemented in cooperation between several ministries. The efforts will be coordinated by the Ministry of Employment and the Economy in co-operation with the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and the Ministry of the Environment. Other parties responsible for strategy implementation will be the Ministry of Education and Culture, the Prime Minister’s Office and the Ministry of Finance. The organisations in the administrative branches of these ministries will be extensively involved in the implementation.

The Bioeconomy panel

Strategy implementation will be supported by a national bioeconomy panel to be set up by end of 2014. The panel will consist of representatives from the government, industries, research and education as well as NGOs. Its primary role is to increase interaction between the public sector, the private sector and citizens, and it will also engage in dialogue with other programmes aiming for a low-carbon and resource-efficient society.

The strategic goals of the Bioeconomy Strategy are:

• A competitive operating environment for the bioeconomy,
• New business from the bioeconomy,
• A strong bioeconomy competence base,
• Accessibility and sustainability of biomasses.

The action plan is described in the strategy document starting from page 20.

Chairman of the Bioeconomy Strategy Implementation Team, Sixten Sunabacka, Ministry of Employment and the Economy, tel +358 40 036 6148, sixten.sunabacka@tem.fi