Human activities over the last century have caused almost irreversible changes in nature and not climate, directly affecting the quality of life of the people and the economy global. Therefore, it has become essential that we move towards a a more sustainable and environmentally responsible economy. This is the bioeconomy.
What is bioeconomy?
The meaning of the term bioeconomy may vary depending on the context in which it is being used. However, the prevailing view is that economy based on knowledge and the use of natural resources, combining economic development with environmental protection, recognizing the importance of transitioning to models of low carbon and that respect the finiteness of natural resources.
Bioeconomy in the Amazon
Being the largest tropical forest in the world, with a large presence of indigenous peoples and traditional communities and more than 40 thousand species of plants, Amazon has enormous potential for bioeconomy, especially within the native production chains.
THE Amazonian bioeconomy may be the key to the strengthening of productive activities of sociobiodiversity, generating development for the region and adding value to these products. Furthermore, this type of economy focus on activities that keep the forest standing, such as the sustainable extraction of non-timber products. Combining science, technology and traditional knowledge, this approach seeks add economic value without compromising ecological balance.
Benefits of the bioeconomy
Structure new models of economies based on biodiversity makes it possible, above all, to face two of the great environmental challenges of our time: the crisis of climate change and the biodiversity loss crisis. But it also generates other benefits:
- Sustainable management of natural resources: promotes the sustainable use of forests, ensuring that resources are managed responsibly, which generates economic and social benefits for local communities;
- Job and income generation: boosts the local economy by generating jobs and strengthening entrepreneurship for local populations, empowering communities and valuing Amazonian biodiversity;
- Maintaining the standing forest: by creating sustainable production chains, bioeconomy assigns economic value to living forest, helping to reduce deforestation and encouraging preservation;
- Consolidation of the low-carbon economy: with a focus on reducing emissions and preserving biomes, the bioeconomy is an ally in building a low-carbon economy;
- Development of sustainable technologies: encouraging the development of sustainable technologies promotes new products and production methods that value natural resources in an innovative way.
How to boost the bioeconomy?
The development of the bioeconomy depends on a set of sustainable strategies focused on economy, social inclusion and environmental conservation. Some ways to foster this transformation include:
- Investment in innovation and research: support the creation of new materials, cosmetics, medicines and foods that use Amazonian biodiversity in a sustainable way;
- Capacity building and empowerment of local communities: promote training programs in sustainable management techniques and entrepreneurship for local communities, offering technical support and training to ensure greater added value to products;
- Development of sustainable value chains: encourage production chains that use forest inputs without harming the ecosystem, such as açaí, chestnut, pirarucu, essential oils or andiroba;
- Investment in businesses that contribute to the standing forest: invest in local organizations that promote conservation and sustainable development, generating an economic cycle that values the forest;
- Creating strategic partnerships: encourage collaborations between companies, governments, organizations and communities to finance and promote Amazonian bioeconomy, strengthening the sector and expanding its positive impact.
By embracing the bioeconomy, Brazil can lead by example, showing how natural resources can be used responsibly to generate economic growth while preserves biodiversity.
Success story: Middle Juruá Territory Program
The Juruá Middle Territory Program (PTMJ), in Amazonas, is a successful example of how we can boost bioeconomy in practice. Guided by sociobioeconomic plurality, the PTMJ promotes the sustainable development in the Middle Juruá, strengthening community organizations and promoting biodiversity conservation.
Overall program results:
- +R$ 10 million mobilized;
- + 1 million hectares conserved;
- + 4 thousand people with socioeconomic improvements;
And this is just one of the many successful examples that know how to exploit the unique resources of the forest, while promoting its preservation and territorial development.
Do you want to implement a project to boost the bioeconomy in the Amazon? Contact us for customized solutions and count on the expertise of our specialists to develop initiatives with a positive impact on the forest and its communities.
