Monitoring the bioeconomy transformation potential for Germany's largest lignite mining region: The Rheinische Revier
The German government's decision to phase out coal power generation by 2038 has spurred the regional transformation of the Rheinische Revier (RR), Germany's largest lignite mining region, towards sustainable, circular bioeconomy. Leveraging robust agricultural, industrial, and scientific s...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2025-11-01
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| Series: | EFB Bioeconomy Journal |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667041024000119 |
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| author | Pia Hilgert Sascha Stark Moritz von Cossel Iris Lewandowski Ulrich Schurr Sandra Venghaus |
| author_facet | Pia Hilgert Sascha Stark Moritz von Cossel Iris Lewandowski Ulrich Schurr Sandra Venghaus |
| author_sort | Pia Hilgert |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The German government's decision to phase out coal power generation by 2038 has spurred the regional transformation of the Rheinische Revier (RR), Germany's largest lignite mining region, towards sustainable, circular bioeconomy. Leveraging robust agricultural, industrial, and scientific sectors, the region shows promise for successful transition. This study aims to identify characteristics, trends, and opportunities of the bioeconomy transformation in the RR. Semi-structured expert interviews and a qualitative content analysis were carried out utilizing a comprehensive evaluation framework to identify key factors influencing the transformation. While stakeholders view the transition positively, challenges such as institutional guidance and stakeholder involvement persist. Recommendations such as the stakeholder-driven development of a regional vision and roadmap and the development of a biodiversity protection strategy and corresponding monitoring system aim to enhance the transformation process. These recommendations also provide guidance for regions undergoing similar changes, although locally-specific socio-economic conditions must be taken into account. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-0dc685fd5e2e47da885aeb9b85ea628b |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2667-0410 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-11-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | EFB Bioeconomy Journal |
| spelling | doaj-art-0dc685fd5e2e47da885aeb9b85ea628b2025-08-20T02:43:20ZengElsevierEFB Bioeconomy Journal2667-04102025-11-01510007410.1016/j.bioeco.2024.100074Monitoring the bioeconomy transformation potential for Germany's largest lignite mining region: The Rheinische RevierPia Hilgert0Sascha Stark1Moritz von Cossel2Iris Lewandowski3Ulrich Schurr4Sandra Venghaus5Institute of Climate and Energy Systems (ICE-2) - Jülich Systems Analysis, Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52428, Jülich, Germany; Department Biobased Resources in the Bioeconomy, Institute of Crop Science, University of Hohenheim, Fruwirthstr. 23, 70599, Stuttgart, GermanyInstitute of Climate and Energy Systems (ICE-2) - Jülich Systems Analysis, Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52428, Jülich, GermanyDepartment Biobased Resources in the Bioeconomy, Institute of Crop Science, University of Hohenheim, Fruwirthstr. 23, 70599, Stuttgart, GermanyDepartment Biobased Resources in the Bioeconomy, Institute of Crop Science, University of Hohenheim, Fruwirthstr. 23, 70599, Stuttgart, GermanyInstitute of Bio- and Geosciences (IBG-2) - Plant Sciences, Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52428, Jülich, GermanyInstitute of Climate and Energy Systems (ICE-2) - Jülich Systems Analysis, Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52428, Jülich, Germany; Decision Analysis and Socio-Economic Assessment, School of Business and Economics, RWTH Aachen University, 52072, Aachen, Germany; Corresponding author.The German government's decision to phase out coal power generation by 2038 has spurred the regional transformation of the Rheinische Revier (RR), Germany's largest lignite mining region, towards sustainable, circular bioeconomy. Leveraging robust agricultural, industrial, and scientific sectors, the region shows promise for successful transition. This study aims to identify characteristics, trends, and opportunities of the bioeconomy transformation in the RR. Semi-structured expert interviews and a qualitative content analysis were carried out utilizing a comprehensive evaluation framework to identify key factors influencing the transformation. While stakeholders view the transition positively, challenges such as institutional guidance and stakeholder involvement persist. Recommendations such as the stakeholder-driven development of a regional vision and roadmap and the development of a biodiversity protection strategy and corresponding monitoring system aim to enhance the transformation process. These recommendations also provide guidance for regions undergoing similar changes, although locally-specific socio-economic conditions must be taken into account.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667041024000119BioeconomyRegional transformationGreen growthEvaluation frameworkCoal phase outStructural change |
| spellingShingle | Pia Hilgert Sascha Stark Moritz von Cossel Iris Lewandowski Ulrich Schurr Sandra Venghaus Monitoring the bioeconomy transformation potential for Germany's largest lignite mining region: The Rheinische Revier EFB Bioeconomy Journal Bioeconomy Regional transformation Green growth Evaluation framework Coal phase out Structural change |
| title | Monitoring the bioeconomy transformation potential for Germany's largest lignite mining region: The Rheinische Revier |
| title_full | Monitoring the bioeconomy transformation potential for Germany's largest lignite mining region: The Rheinische Revier |
| title_fullStr | Monitoring the bioeconomy transformation potential for Germany's largest lignite mining region: The Rheinische Revier |
| title_full_unstemmed | Monitoring the bioeconomy transformation potential for Germany's largest lignite mining region: The Rheinische Revier |
| title_short | Monitoring the bioeconomy transformation potential for Germany's largest lignite mining region: The Rheinische Revier |
| title_sort | monitoring the bioeconomy transformation potential for germany s largest lignite mining region the rheinische revier |
| topic | Bioeconomy Regional transformation Green growth Evaluation framework Coal phase out Structural change |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667041024000119 |
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