• University of Padova

Introduction to Sustainable Bioeconomy

Discover what the bioeconomy is and how recent innovations in Europe’s forest-based sectors affect the drive for sustainability.

1,494 enrolled on this course

Society and Bioeconomy

Introduction to Sustainable Bioeconomy

1,494 enrolled on this course

  • 3 weeks

  • 3 hours per week

  • Digital certificate when eligible

  • Open level

Find out more about how to join this course

  • Duration

    3 weeks
  • Weekly study

    3 hours
  • 100% online

    How it works
  • Unlimited subscription

    $244.99 for a whole yearLearn more

Learn how a circular bioeconomy could aid sustainability

The European economy faces multiple simultaneous challenges related to environmental sustainability. Alongside the threat of climate change, nations are also grappling with resource depletion, population growth, and overconsumption.

On this course, you’ll learn how a circular bioeconomy could solve these issues, and come away able to identify the latest developments in European bioeconomic policy.

Explore the importance of bioeconomy for sustainability

A bioeconomy is an economy where the basic building blocks for energy and materials come from renewable biological sources.

Alongside experts from the University of Padova and seven other renowned European Universities, you’ll explore how recent wood-based innovations could help nations move to a fossil-free future.

Examine different national forest sectors

You’ll describe the different ways the bioeconomy is interpreted across Europe, and understand what these different national approaches mean for Europe’s forest-based sectors.

You’ll summarise and interpret the perception held among citizens towards the bioeconomy, and learn how the concept itself emerged.

Discover the latest innovations in sustainability

Examining real-world examples, you’ll understand the most recent innovations in the European bioeconomy, and the challenges forest-based sectors face going forward.

Ultimately, you’ll grasp how the introduction of bioeconomy policy could jumpstart the sustainable transformation of society in Europe.

Skip to 0 minutes and 0 seconds [Music] Hello and welcome to the open online course Bioeconomy and society. My name is Daniela Kleinschmidt and I’m professor for forest and environmental policy at the university of Freiburg in Germany and I will be your host for this online course. In this course we will learn about the forest-based bioeconomy. We will learn how this concept emerged and what it means for different stakeholders involved in this development. We will also discuss how different European countries approach this concept in the national political strategies And what these interpretations mean for the forest-based sector. Lastly, we will look at some of the most important innovations that currently shape the bioeconomy in Europe.

Skip to 1 minute and 0 seconds This course is brought to you by the PerForm consortium, a team of researchers from across the European continent who have worked to understand societal perceptions of the bioeconomy in their home countries. This learning journey is going to take us from Northern Europe - Finland and Sweden - to Central Western Europe - Austria, Germany and France - as well as to Southern Europe - Italy and Spain - and Eastern Europe - Slovakia and Russia. Our course material comes in the form of video lectures, where our international team of researchers share their latest research on bioeconomy; video interviews with international experts where you learn about bioeconomy from these experts and practitioners that are at the forefront of bioeconomy developments.

Skip to 2 minutes and 5 seconds And reading materials, where you get to read and discuss the most relevant scientific publications on the bioeconomy topic. So, without further to do, I warmly welcome you to this course and I wish you an inspiring learning experience.

Syllabus

  • Week 1

    The Politics of Bioeconomy

    • Welcome to Bioeconomy and Society

      Introducing the course, its learning objectives and the instructors who will accompany you on your learning journey.

    • Overview of Week 1

      Here's what we'll learn during the first week of the course:

    • Defining the bioeconomy concept

      Let's find out more about the different bioeconomy definitions and interpretations.

    • Conceptual frameworks

      In this activity, we discuss some conceptual frameworks that can be used when thinking about bioeconomy

    • Bioeconomy and Sustainability

      The concepts of sustainability and bioeconomy are not necessarily synonymous. Here’s why…

    • Expert Interviews

      In this section, we have collected a series of interviews with experts working with bioeconomy in Europe.

    • Quiz

      Time to test your knowledge.

  • Week 2

    Stakeholder Perceptions

    • Overview of Week 2

      Here's what we'll learn during the second week of the course:

    • Bioeconomy networks and forest stakeholders

      In this step we will learn about the diversity of stakeholders involved in the forest-bioeconomy. We will see examples from all over Europe from Germany, Finland, Sweden, France, Russia and Slowakia.

    • Future Stakeholders

      Future generations will bear the burden for the decisions we make today. In this step we will learn more about forestry student's perceptions and expectations.

    • Expert Interviews

      Now let's hear from two experts working at the forefront of the forest industry and forest education.

    • Quiz

      Test your knowledge with week 2's quiz!

  • Week 3

    Innovations and Public Perceptions

    • Overview of Week 3

      Here's what we'll learn during the third and last week of the course:

    • Innovations with wood

      In this step we will learn more about the concepts of innovation and innovativeness, as well as explore some interesting examples from the wood construction sector.

    • Actor perspectives in innovation management

      Innovation management and public acceptance are two important aspects we need to consider before designing and launching new bio-based products. Here's why...

    • The importance of citizens in co-shaping the bioeconomy transition

      In this step we'll reflect on the role of citizens in co-creating or opposing the bioeconomy.

    • Expert interviews

      Now let's hear from experts working at the forefront of bioeconomy innovations.

    • Quiz

      Week 3's quiz

    • Wrapping up

      With this activity we come to the conclusion of the course. After recapping the content of the last three weeks, we will ask for your opinion and leave you with a list of resources on the circular forest-bioeconomy.

When would you like to start?

Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.

  • Available now

Learning on this course

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

  • Interpret the latest developments of the (forest-based) bioeconomy in Europe
  • Apply different conceptual approaches for interpreting the bioeconomy
  • Explain how this concept emerged and how different European countries approach it in their national political strategies
  • Discuss what these different national approaches mean for the forest-based sector in the countries presented
  • Interpret the latest research on stakeholder and citizen perception in the bioeconomy
  • Summarize some of the most important innovations that currently shape the bioeconomy in Europe
  • Debate the biggest opportunities and challenges that these innovations pose for the forest-based sector

Who is the course for?

This course is for students at all levels and professionals (e.g. consultants, public servants) active in natural resource management sectors (e.g. forestry and agriculture)

It would also benefit communication specialists and policymakers looking to better understand the emerging bioeconomy discourse and the latest bioeconomy-related policy developments at European level impacting the forest-based sector.

Who will you learn with?

I teach to learn and I learn to teach.
Researcher at the University of Freiburg interested in bioeconomy transformations, science communication, good governance and forests.

Assistant Professor in forest policy and economics at the Department of Land, Environment, Agriculture and Forestry, University of Padova (UNIPD).
Scientific Director at Etifor, a UNIPD spin-off.

I am Professor for Forest and Environmental Policy at the University Freiburg in Germany since 2014. I am a trained forester with social scientific background.

Researcher at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences. Trained forester, turned policy scholar. “Education is not preparation for life, education is life itself.” - John Dewey

Who developed the course?

University of Padova

The University of Padova is one of Europe’s oldest and most prestigious seats of learning; it aims to provide its students with both professional training and a solid cultural background.

Ways to learn

Buy this course

Subscribe & save

Start learning today

Choose the best way to learn for you!

$54/one-off payment

$244.99 for a whole year

Automatically renews

Free

Fulfill your current learning needDevelop skills to further your careerTry this course - with limits
Access to this courseticktick

Limited to 3 weeks

Access to 1,000+ coursescrosstickcross
Learn at your own paceticktickcross
Discuss your learning in commentstickticktick
Certificate when you're eligiblePrinted and digitalDigital onlycross
Continue & Upgrade

Cancel for free anytime

Ways to learn

Choose the best way to learn for you!

Subscribe & save

$244.99 for a whole year

Automatically renews

Develop skills to further your career

  • Access to this course
  • Access to 1,000+ courses
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Digital certificate when you're eligible

Cancel for free anytime

Buy this course

$54/one-off payment

Fulfill your current learning need

  • Access to this course
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Printed and digital certificate when you’re eligible

Start learning today

Free

Try this course - with limits

  • Limited to 3 weeks

Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)

Sale price available until 2 June 2025 at 23:59 (UTC). T&Cs apply.

Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)

Sale price available until 2 June 2025 at 23:59 (UTC). T&Cs apply.

Learning on FutureLearn

Your learning, your rules

  • Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
  • Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
  • Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores

Join a global classroom

  • Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
  • Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
  • Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others

Map your progress

  • As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
  • Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
  • Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate

Want to know more about learning on FutureLearn? Using FutureLearn

Learner reviews

Learner reviews cannot be loaded due to your cookie settings. Please and refresh the page to view this content.

Do you know someone who'd love this course? Tell them about it...