Economics and Policies in a Biobased Economy from edX

“In order to produce food in a sustainable way for an additional 2 billion people by 2050, a business-as-usual approach will not be sufficient. This is especially true in the face of climate change and other forces threatening natural resources like biodiversity, land and water that are essential for food production and agriculture, including forestry and fisheries. To meet these challenges, science and the application of biotechnologies as well as conventional technologies will play a key role.” FAO

Are you responsible for dealing with the economics and policies governing the transition- and implementation of biobased products and resources? Join the MOOC Economics and Policies in a Biobased Economy and discover the whole value chain from Research & Development, over application, processing, retailing and final demand. Learn how the value chain and the rents and their distribution along the chain are affected by policies. Examples such as the benefits and costs of developing, cultivating, and marketing genetically modified organisms (GMOs) will be discussed extensively.

Upgrade your knowledge about the recent trends in the circular economy and in sustainable business. Know how to measure adoption and environmental benefits, learn about the benefits and costs and the distribution of sustainable products, market power, approval processes, supply chain, guiding policies and the current social debate.

Join the MicroMasters Program!

This course is part of the MicroMasters Program Economics and Policies for a Circular Bio-Economy

A series of 3 courses and a final capstone project designed to help you cover the economic and policy side of converting biological resources into biobased products. You will be able to contribute to managerial decision-making, as well as policy development.

Explore the other courses in this MicroMasters Program:

You might also like the MicroMasters Program Business and Operations for a Circular Bio-Economy.

What's inside

Learning objectives

Explain the economic issues and policies affecting the biobased economy at the eu and international level
Identify the important factors driving the development of the circular bioeconomy
Assess the development of the circular bioeconomy from an economic perspective

Understanding the key differences of a biofuel mandates and price links
Upgrading your knowledge about recent trends in the circular economy and in sustainable business.

Explain the economic issues and policies affecting the biobased economy at the eu and international level
Identify the important factors driving the development of the circular bioeconomy
Assess the development of the circular bioeconomy from an economic perspective
Understanding the key differences of a biofuel mandates and price links
Upgrading your knowledge about recent trends in the circular economy and in sustainable business.

Syllabus

Module 1: The Circular Bioeconomy and Policies

In this module, you will be introduced to the economic importance of the circular bioeconomy and learn how to recognize the important driving factors.

Module 2: From Precautionary Approach to CBA

How can we measure these driving factors? Let’s learn about cost-benefit analysis (CBA), the precautionary approach, and the irreversibility effect.

Module 3: Macro Modelling

In module 3, you will learn about the key elements of an integrated assessment framework so that you can visualize the impact of a circular bioeconomy on policy aims. We will focus on macroeconomic modelling tools applied to biobased chemicals.

Module 4: Biofuel's Economics and Policies

To conclude the course, we will look at the economic and policy theories in the specific case of biofuels: what are the key differences of a biofuel mandates and price links? Also, you will be asked to integrate the theory seen in this and in the previous modules by applying it to your own case about bioplastics.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Explores the challenges and opportunities of transitioning to a biobased economy, making it highly relevant to sustainability professionals

Provides a comprehensive overview of the circular bioeconomy, equipping learners with a broad understanding of the field

Examines economic policies and practices that impact the development of biobased products, making it relevant to policymakers and business leaders

Taught by Justus Wesseler, Dusan Drabik, and Hans van Meijl, esteemed researchers and practitioners in the field of biobased economy

Part of the MicroMasters Program in Economics and Policies for a Circular Bio-Economy, offering a deeper dive into the topic

May require a strong foundation in economics and policy analysis for optimal understanding

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Economics and Policies in a Biobased Economy with these activities:

Organize Course Materials

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Organize your lecture notes, assignments, and other course materials to enhance your understanding and facilitate future reference.

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Review all course materials and identify key concepts.
Create a system for organizing and storing the materials (e.g., folders, binders, digital notes).
Summarize key points and create flashcards or study guides for easy recall.

Watch CrashCourse videos on sustainability

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These videos provide a clear and engaging overview of the concepts and issues related to sustainability, which will provide a strong foundation for the course.

Browse courses on Sustainability

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Go to the CrashCourse YouTube channel
Search for the videos on sustainability
Watch the videos and take notes

Bioeconomy Policy Discussion Group

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Engage in discussions with fellow students about course topics, share insights, and get feedback on your ideas.

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Identify a group of peers with similar interests.
Set up regular meetings to discuss course topics and policy issues.
Facilitate discussions and encourage active participation from all members.

Four other activities

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Economic Modeling Exercises

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Practice conducting economic modeling exercises to assess the impact of different policy scenarios on the biobased economy.

Browse courses on Economic Modeling

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Review the basics of economic modeling.
Apply economic modeling techniques to analyze policy scenarios.
Interpret the results of the modeling exercises and draw conclusions.

Bioeconomy Policy Case Studies

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Explore real-world examples of bioeconomy policy implementation by studying case studies from different countries or regions.

Browse courses on Case Studies

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Identify relevant case studies.
Analyze the policy context, implementation strategies, and outcomes of each case study.
Compare and contrast the different case studies to identify best practices.

Develop a Bioeconomy Policy Brief

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Create a policy brief that analyzes and recommends policies to promote the development of a sustainable bioeconomy, considering economic, environmental, and social factors.

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Research and analyze the current state of the bioeconomy and related policies.
Identify key policy issues and challenges.
Develop policy recommendations based on economic and sustainability principles.
Write a concise and persuasive policy brief presenting your recommendations.

Bioeconomy Policy Workshop

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Attend a workshop led by experts in the field of bioeconomy policy to gain insights, network with professionals, and engage in discussions.

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Identify relevant bioeconomy policy workshops.
Prepare for the workshop by reviewing course materials and conducting research.
Actively participate in the workshop sessions, ask questions, and share perspectives.
Network with other attendees and experts in the field.

Career center

Learners who complete Economics and Policies in a Biobased Economy will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Policy Analyst

Policy Analysts conduct research and analysis to inform policy decisions. They may work for government agencies, non-profit organizations, or private businesses. This course will help you develop the skills you need to conduct research, analyze data, and write policy reports. These skills are essential for a career as a Policy Analyst, and this course will give you a strong foundation in the policy analysis process.

See salaries and explore the career path for Policy Analyst

Economist

Economists study how people make decisions in the face of scarcity, and how those decisions affect the allocation of resources. This course will help you develop the skills you need to analyze economic data, develop economic models, and make recommendations on economic policy. These skills are essential for a career as an Economist, and this course will give you a strong foundation in the economic principles that you will need to be successful in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Economist

Consultant

Consultants provide advice and expertise to businesses and organizations. They may work in a variety of fields, including economics, finance, management, and marketing. This course will help you develop the skills you need to analyze business problems, develop solutions, and communicate your findings to clients. These skills are essential for a career as a Consultant, and this course will give you a strong foundation in the consulting process.

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Market Researcher

Market Researchers conduct research to understand consumer behavior and market trends. They may work for businesses, marketing agencies, or non-profit organizations. This course will help you develop the skills you need to design and conduct market research studies, analyze data, and write research reports. These skills are essential for a career as a Market Researcher, and this course will give you a strong foundation in the market research process.

See salaries and explore the career path for Market Researcher

Sustainability Manager

Sustainability Managers develop and implement sustainability strategies for businesses and organizations. They may work in a variety of industries, including manufacturing, energy, and transportation. This course will help you develop the skills you need to understand sustainability issues, develop sustainability strategies, and measure the impact of sustainability initiatives. These skills are essential for a career as a Sustainability Manager, and this course will give you a strong foundation in the sustainability management process.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sustainability Manager

Renewable Energy Manager

Renewable Energy Managers develop and implement renewable energy strategies for businesses and organizations. They may work in a variety of industries, including utilities, manufacturing, and transportation. This course will help you develop the skills you need to understand renewable energy technologies, develop renewable energy strategies, and measure the impact of renewable energy initiatives. These skills are essential for a career as a Renewable Energy Manager, and this course will give you a strong foundation in the renewable energy management process.

See salaries and explore the career path for Renewable Energy Manager

Business Analyst

Business Analysts analyze business processes and identify opportunities for improvement. They may work for businesses, consulting firms, or government agencies. This course will help you develop the skills you need to analyze business processes, identify inefficiencies, and develop solutions. These skills are essential for a career as a Business Analyst, and this course will give you a strong foundation in the business analysis process.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst

Data Analyst

Data Analysts collect, clean, and analyze data to identify trends and patterns. They may work for businesses, government agencies, or non-profit organizations. This course will help you develop the skills you need to collect, clean, and analyze data, and communicate your findings to stakeholders. These skills are essential for a career as a Data Analyst, and this course will give you a strong foundation in the data analysis process.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst

Financial Analyst

Financial Analysts analyze financial data to make investment recommendations. They may work for investment banks, asset management companies, or insurance companies. This course will help you develop the skills you need to analyze financial data, develop investment recommendations, and communicate your findings to clients. These skills are essential for a career as a Financial Analyst, and this course will give you a strong foundation in the financial analysis process.

See salaries and explore the career path for Financial Analyst

Operations Manager

Operations Managers oversee the day-to-day operations of a business. They may work in a variety of industries, including manufacturing, retail, and healthcare. This course will help you develop the skills you need to manage operations, improve efficiency, and reduce costs. These skills are essential for a career as an Operations Manager, and this course will give you a strong foundation in the operations management process.

See salaries and explore the career path for Operations Manager

Supply Chain Manager

Supply Chain Managers oversee the flow of goods and services from suppliers to customers. They may work in a variety of industries, including manufacturing, retail, and healthcare. This course will help you develop the skills you need to manage supply chains, improve efficiency, and reduce costs. These skills are essential for a career as a Supply Chain Manager, and this course will give you a strong foundation in the supply chain management process.

See salaries and explore the career path for Supply Chain Manager

Project Manager

Project Managers plan and execute projects. They may work in a variety of industries, including construction, engineering, and software development. This course will help you develop the skills you need to plan, execute, and close projects. These skills are essential for a career as a Project Manager, and this course will give you a strong foundation in the project management process.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager

Environmental Scientist

Environmental Scientists study the environment and its interactions with humans. They may work for government agencies, non-profit organizations, or businesses. This course will help you develop the skills you need to understand environmental issues, conduct environmental research, and develop environmental policies. These skills are essential for a career as an Environmental Scientist, and this course will give you a strong foundation in the environmental science process.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Scientist

Sustainability Consultant

Sustainability Consultants advise businesses and organizations on how to improve their sustainability performance. They may work for consulting firms, non-profit organizations, or businesses. This course will help you develop the skills you need to understand sustainability issues, develop sustainability strategies, and measure the impact of sustainability initiatives. These skills are essential for a career as a Sustainability Consultant, and this course will give you a strong foundation in the sustainability consulting process.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sustainability Consultant

Environmental Policy Analyst

Environmental Policy Analysts analyze environmental policies and make recommendations on how to improve them. They may work for government agencies, non-profit organizations, or businesses. This course will help you develop the skills you need to analyze environmental policies, make recommendations for improvement, and communicate your findings to stakeholders. These skills are essential for a career as an Environmental Policy Analyst, and this course will give you a strong foundation in the environmental policy analysis process.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Policy Analyst

Economics and Policies in a Biobased Economy

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