Abstract

Purpose The aim of this research was to identify and analyze the critical success factors for Bioeconomy development in Brazil, considering Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) as a contributing driving force, and propose guidelines and a roadmap for national policies in emerging economies. Method To achieve this goal, a Delphi method was used with Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) experts in Brazil. The answers obtained in the final round were analyzed through the Fuzzy Delphi method. Based on these findings and using the existing literature, a set of guidelines and a roadmap were created for public policies development. Results and discussion From the nine critical success factors (CSF) mentioned by the experts during the Delphi survey, seven were selected for the Fuzzy Delphi step. The mapped factors were related to database, data regionalization, professionals training, public policies, public resources, market issues, and cases reporting. Debates about these CSF's were carried out, and guidelines and a roadmap were proposed for public policies in emerging economies. Conclusion The interface between LCA and the Bioeconomy represents a recent field of knowledge with a great synergy, although studies on this topic are still scarce. The present study contributes to overcome this gap, and the proposed guidelines and roadmap bring relevant information to expand the literature with tangible ways of moving towards sustainable development economies with special attention for emerging economies.