Does the bioeconomy literature provide a balanced view of sustainability?

Abstract Bioeconomy has emerged as a route to sustainability, but it is not inherently sustainable. Given the ambition of bioeconomy policies around the world, it is crucial for scientific literature to offer balanced evidence about sustainable practices across environmental, social, and economic dimensions. This study analysed bioeconomy research over the last 50 years to identify which aspects of sustainability have been prioritized and overlooked. The alignment of bioeconomy literature with the ‘ Aspirational Principles and Criteria for a Sustainable Bioeconomy ’ defined by FAO was assessed to understand if there is a balance of evidence among environmental, social, and economic interests, or whether specific sustainability considerations are emphasized. Eight critical research gaps emerged: bioeconomy impact on food security, water usage, inclusive consultation, land rights, policy coherence, system resilience, risk assessment, and sustainable consumption practices.