The available natural resources are limited and global challenges such as climate change and land and ecosystem degradation along with population growth force humanity to look for new ways of production and consumption that will respect the planet’s ecological boundaries. It is therefore necessary to produce and consume food, products, and materials within healthy ecosystems through the sustainable bioeconomy. Linear economic models based on production-consumption-disposal schemes tend to be replaced by circular and resource-efficient economic models, which focus on the whole material cycle to promote reuse as well as to reduce waste and utilize resources as efficiently as possible. The circular economy aims at maintaining a balance between economic and environmental factors, while creating sustainable growth and new jobs. Bioeconomy covers all sectors and systems which are based on biological resources (animals, plants, microorganisms, and biomass, including organic waste), their functions and principles.

The new economic models must be circular and sustainable. As a result, industries will be revitalized, primary production systems will be updated, the environment will be better protected, and biodiversity will increase. The European Union has established the primary axes for the creation of an operational group and a road map, emphasizing the significance of renewable resources and biotechnologies in sustainable development and enticing the Regions and agencies to create innovations in the bioeconomy. These new sectors already account for 9% of all employment in the EU, presenting the tremendous potential for growth and the ability to alter the economic landscape through synergies between businesses and organizations.

The Mediterranean region faces challenges with several issues, including an energy deficit, a declining agricultural sector, deteriorating water and soil quality, a rise in the risk of natural disasters brought on by climate change, coastal pollution, ineffective biowaste management, deteriorating ecosystems, a loss of biodiversity, etc. It is essential to a) strengthen research, technological development, and innovation; b) improve the competitiveness of the agricultural sector; c) support the transition to a low carbon economy; d) promote adaptation to climate change; e) increase environmental protection; and f) promote resource efficiency if they are to meet the contemporary challenges they face. Sustainable and Circular Bioeconomy can significantly aid in addressing the aforementioned needs.

The Waste Management Laboratory of the Department of the Environment of the University of the Aegean (Greece) is coordinating a project called "Center of Sustainable and Circular Bioeconomy" (https://bioeconomy.aegean.gr/), which aims to support the insular regions of Aegean in the transition from a linear to a circular bioeconomy model. It is organized in the following four (4) distinctive project activities, which will lead to the development of innovative services and platforms in the regions of interest in the North and South Aegean:

1. BIOmass | Sustainable production and management of biomass
2. Nature4water | Sustainable water resources and soil management using nature-based solutions
3. REproduct | Recycling of materials and production of new products
4. Hotel Footprinting | Reduction of the environmental footprint in the tourism industry

The scope of this special issue is to collect papers from the above research areas and all the other scientific fields related to Circular Economy and Bioeconomy. Manuscripts should clearly demonstrate the contribution of the study to the green transition of the Meditteranean region.

CIES is a hybrid journal. Authors can choose to publish under the traditional publishing model (no charges apply), but the journal also provides the open access option (with article-processing charges)

Guest Editors:

Assoc. Professor Demetris F. Lekkas, University of the Aegean, Greece
Dr Eleftheria Klontza, University of the Aegean, Greece