A special issue of Sustainable Food Connect (3105-3858)
Submission Deadline: March 15, 2026 Published Articles: 0 Submit your Article Share
Lead Guest Editor
The global food system faces unprecedented challenges: feeding a projected 9.7 billion people by 2050 while operating within planetary boundaries and addressing climate change imperatives. Current linear food production models generate approximately 1.6 billion tonnes of food waste annually, representing 30% of global food production and contributing 8-10% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Simultaneously, food systems consume 70% of freshwater resources and occupy 40% of terrestrial land, creating cascading environmental pressures.
The circular bioeconomy paradigm offers transformative potential by reimagining waste streams as valuable resources, creating closed-loop systems that maximize resource efficiency while minimizing environmental impact. This approach aligns with multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs 2, 6, 7, 12, 13, 15) and supports the transition toward climate-neutral, resilient food systems.
This special issue explores the transformative nexus between technological innovation and systems transformation in circular bioeconomy applications, with particular emphasis on waste-to-resource pathways that can revolutionize global food systems. The scope encompasses novel bioconversion pathways and process optimization strategies that leverage advanced biotechnological tools, including synthetic biology, precision fermentation, and next-generation bioprocessing technologies. Digital technologies enabling circular supply chains represent another critical dimension, incorporating blockchain applications for traceability, IoT-enabled monitoring systems for resource efficiency optimization, and artificial intelligence platforms for waste stream management and predictive analytics.
The innovation framework extends beyond technological solutions to encompass comprehensive economic models and innovative financing mechanisms that can support scalable circular ventures while ensuring financial viability and market competitiveness. Policy instruments and governance frameworks constitute a vital component, addressing regulatory barriers, incentive structures, and international coordination mechanisms necessary for widespread circular economy adoption. The special issue particularly emphasizes regional adaptation strategies, recognizing that circular bioeconomy solutions must be tailored to diverse socio-economic conditions, climatic variations, and cultural contexts while maintaining core sustainability principles.
Social acceptance and behavioural dimensions receive substantial attention, acknowledging that technological innovation alone cannot drive systems transformation without addressing consumer preferences, community engagement, and capacity building requirements. The scope includes comprehensive impact assessment methodologies that capture environmental, social, and economic benefits across multiple scales, from local community implementations to national policy frameworks. This holistic approach ensures that research contributions address real-world implementation challenges while advancing theoretical understanding of circular bioeconomy principles and their practical applications in sustainable food system transformation.
For further details, please contact the editorial office at: info@scifiniti.com
