Literature review of impact assessment methodologies in the bioeconomy

This study conducts a comprehensive review and analysis of the scientific literature focused on methodologies used to assess the impact of the bioeconomy. The Scopus database was employed, together with analytical tools such as R and the Bibliometrix package, to perform co-authorship network analysis, thematic clustering, a review of the most applied methodologies, and multiple correspondence analysis of thematic evolution during 2014–2024. Results show that bioeconomy research has mainly focused on environmental impact and life-cycle assessment, while progressively integrating cross-cutting concepts such as climate change, circular economy, and environmental economics. The formation of thematic clusters linked to countries, universities, and research centers is observed, alongside a significant increase in publications over the last decade, with more than 80% of papers published in high-impact journals. From a methodological perspective, there is limited use of Input–Output (IO), Multi-Regional Input–Output (MRIO), and Computable General Equilibrium (CGE) models, despite their relevance for assessing systemic impacts. This gap highlights opportunities for future research to address the aggregate effects of the bioeconomy from macroeconomic and territorial perspectives. Applying these tools, particularly at regional levels, is essential to support evidence-based public policies that foster a fair, resilient, and sustainable transition. Bioeconomy research is expected to continue evolving, with greater emphasis on quantifying economic and environmental impacts. Robust methodologies such as IO, MRIO, CGE, and their environmentally extended variants (EEIO) will be key to capturing systemic effects, value-chain linkages, and sectoral shifts, thereby enhancing the bioeconomy’s transformative potential. • There are a notable increase in publications on the bioeconomy, with over 80% published in high-impact journals, reflecting growing academic and political interest. • The main topics identified include environmental impact, life cycle, economic analysis, and bioenergy, along with cross-cutting themes such as climate change and circular economy • Methodologically, there is a notable underrepresentation of IO, MRIO, or CGE models, despite their importance in evaluating systemic impacts. • This highlights the need to apply robust tools, especially at the regional level, to guide public policy in bioeconomy. • The analysis reveals a significant lack of methodological approaches in the literature and a clear opportunity for future studies aimed at quantifying the aggregate impact of the bioeconomy from a territorial macroeconomic perspective.