Our focus Purpose of business Unlocking a circular bioeconomy 19 January 2026: we've just published our newest white white paper, Enabling Systemic Circularity in the Bioeconomy: Diagnosis and Implications of a Circular Transition for Woody Biomass. Download the paper The challenge Supply and demand — plus unknown trade-offs A truly circular bioeconomy is one that maximises the value of biological resources (‘bioresources’) — including agricultural crops, aquatic resources and forestry products — while protecting ecosystems and delivering equitable outcomes. The idea of unlocking its potential is gaining traction. Yet, amid intensifying efforts to replace fossil-based inputs and reduce carbon emissions, it’s logical to assume that demand for biomass will surge, and potentially outpace the sustainable supply of bioresources in specific regions. What’s more, emerging trends such as the growth of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS), and circular materials innovation are reshaping biomass value chains — often without a clear understanding of how systemic interactions and trade-offs will unfold. This puts the bioeconomy at a crossroads, where future competition for limited bioresources risks reinforcing fragmentation, inefficiencies, and environmental degradation. The opportunity Systemic Collaboration Forum for the Future is set to run a futures-focused, cross-sector collaboration — bringing together businesses, civil society, academia and more to explore solutions to shared questions. Recognising the interconnected nature of biomass supply chains and the potential for circular solutions to reconfigure value, power, and impact across industries, we will explore what both the immediate and downstream consequences of biomass-use decisions could be. If we can better understand how increasing competition for bioresources plays out across sectors, geographies and timeframes, then we can stay ahead of risk and opportunity in a rapidly shifting world. Only then can businesses, policymakers and civil societies make well-informed decisions with game-changing potential for people and the planet. New report Enabling Systemic Circularity in the Bioeconomy Our latest white paper, Enabling Systemic Circularity in the Bioeconomy: Diagnosis and Implications of a Circular Transition for Woody Biomass, aims to support building this understanding. The white paper provides a multi-sector diagnosis of a circular economy for woody biomass, and the implications of the transition, including competing resources, on sectors sourcing it. It sets out a portfolio of practical interventions identified through a collaborative research process that can activate key levers of change. It also sets out five principles to guide a cross-sector transition to circularity: Regenerative for planet and people: Circularity must restore ecological and social systems, and be grounded in lived realities, not abstract optimisation. Value hierarchy-led decision-making: Shared hierarchies should guide land and biomass use toward the highest environmental and social value, avoiding low-value lock-in. Creating the conditions for longevity: Materials should be designed, used and circulated to maximise their useful life through reuse, repair and remanufacture. Promoting long-term, coherent policy: Stable, aligned policy signals are essential to enable investment and innovation across multi-decade horizons. No blind spots in data: Trusted, interoperable data on materials and land use underpins transparency, accountability and effective circular flows. Download the report Learn more about the principles Get involved The transition to a circular bioeconomy will reshape value chains and redistribute value over time. Managing this transition fairly and effectively requires early, inclusive engagement across sectors. The risks of delay are shared, and so are the benefits of action. The report invites businesses, policymakers, civil society and researchers to: Join the next phase of cross-sector collaboration, helping turn shared insight into coordinated action; Apply the principles and systemic levers within their own strategies, investments and operations; and Engage value chains to align incentives, share data and pilot new circular approaches. In an era of climate overshoot, choosing business-as-usual is not a neutral option. It shifts greater cost, instability and risk into the future. A resilient, regenerative future requires a collaborative, ambitious and harmonised transition to a circular bioeconomy. Write to us to get involved Manage Cookie Preferences