New publication on Multi-Criteria Assessment
Regions were analysed and compared through different groups of indicators. Source: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clcb.2025.100195 Regions were analysed and compared through different groups of indicators.
Source: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clcb.2025.100195
From research carried out within the project, partners from the BIO2REG consortium have published a scientific article outlining their data-driven method for assessing the readiness and potential of regions across Europe to transition to a circular bioeconomy. Titled “Circular bioeconomy and the regions: Developing a two-step multi-criteria assessment (MCA) framework to evaluate regional bioeconomy potential in 8 selected European countries“, the paper appears in the scientific journal Cleaner and Circular Bioeconomy.
Authored by Panos Kalimeris and his colleagues at the Institute of Urban Environment and Human Resources, Panteion University Athens, Greece, the study builds on an extensive review of existing literature to compile a comprehensive set of bioeconomy indicators.
On this basis, the research identified 897 potential bioeconomy indicators drawn from academic studies, EU and international reports, and previous bioeconomy projects. Through a rigorous validation process – focusing on data availability, regional coverage, comparability, and transparency – the authors narrowed this to a final set of 41 quantifiable indicators suitable for regional-level assessment.
The framework then applies a two-step Multi-Criteria Assessment combining a Traffic Light Assessment for indicator selection and the modified TOPSIS decision-analysis method for regional ranking. As a first proof of concept, the framework was applied to regions in eight countries: Belgium, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Greece, Spain, Sweden, and Iceland. The ranking identifies “champion regions” with strong bioeconomy potential across economic, social, environmental, and sectoral dimensions.
“Regions are key drivers of the bioeconomy, each characterized by unique natural resource capacity, sectoral composition, and development opportunities,” said Panos Kalimeris, highlighting the importance of this work. “Our study proposes a two-step MCA framework designed to assess regional bioeconomy potential. The results highlight significant regional differences and offer insights to support tailor-made interventions and policy actions.”
- Access the full open-access article
- Download a detailed description of the MCA (PDF)
- Download the MCA self-assessment tool (XLSM)
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