Ekin Keçecioğlu Aytemiz, EEDD international track EnviM
Agricultural systems are the center of attention not only for food safety and security but also with their dependencies on natural resources and ecosystem services more than many other economic activities. The intensification in the 20th century, characterized by high productivity, was later associated with severe impacts on biodiversity, changes in land, habitat destruction, ecotoxicity borne by pesticides. (Foley et al., 2011). Climate change is also aggravating the pressure on biodiversity and ecosystem conditions, loss of productivity in agri-food systems in many contexts. (Ahmed et al. 2022, Muluneh et al. 2021).
The need for regulation of agricultural practices, monitoring mechanisms and engagement in more sustainable practices is emphasized at policy level (European Commission, 2020; IPCC, 2019; Ministry of Environment and Urbanization, 2011). Another common theme in these strategies and subsequent assessments is the role of innovation to ensure better implementation of technology in the agricultural sector, mitigation, and adaptation efforts for climate-change, in particular reduction of GHG emissions (OECD, 2019; FAO, 2022). The possible contribution of innovation in achieving more sustainable strategies in agriculture, for protecting biodiversity and natural resources, is worth investigating.
This professional thesis explores the role of innovation in advancing sustainability in the agri-food sector within the context of Türkiye’s alignment with EU policy frameworks. A group of agri and climate-tech initiatives in Türkiye’s innovation ecosystem were studied through a survey and semi-structured interviews to assess their perspectives on contributing to environmental benefits, particularly to biodiversity. The companies were grouped as “clusters” based on their area of interventions, conservation of biodiversity and natural resources. For this purpose, the Socio-Ecological Innovation model has been used as the reference framework due to its analytical capacity of assessing innovations in social and ecological context but also offering normative guidance for designing solutions that are deeply attuned to sustainability challenges.
The comparative analysis of digital and circular bioeconomy ventures reveals the promise and the limits of innovation as a driver of transformation. While many of the ventures studied align with policy goals related to emissions reduction and resource efficiency, their engagement with more complex ecological dimensions—particularly biodiversity—remains limited. The SEI framework proved valuable in diagnosing these limitations, particularly the lack of systems thinking, value pluralism, and reflexivity. These shortcomings highlight the prevailing dominance of market-driven, compliance-focused models, which are often inadequate for addressing the complexities of ecological transitions.
As environmental and agricultural policies evolve, it is imperative that future innovation ecosystems incorporate stronger ecological foundations, foster cross-sectoral collaboration, and support knowledge co-creation. Achieving sustainable agriculture requires more than technological advancement; it necessitates a redefinition of innovation itself—anchored in ecological integrity, social justice, and long-term resilience. Aligning funding instruments with practices benefiting both biodiversity and emissions reduction—such as agroecology or nature-based solutions—would help to stabilize and enhance the environmental profile of the agricultural sector in the long term. A more balanced, reflexive, and inclusive innovation system can pave the way for agriculture not just to optimize what we already do, but to fundamentally reimagine how we relate to food, land, and life itself.
Ahmed S., et al (2022), Impact of green innovation on sustainable development with mediating effect of knowledge management, Journal of Business Management Studies, 1 (01) (2022), pp. 1-16
Foley, J. A., et al. (2011), Solutions for a cultivated planet. Nature, 478(7369), 337–342. https://doi.org/10.1038/nature10452
Muluneh, M.G. (2021), Impact of climate change on biodiversity and food security: a global perspective—a review article. Agric & Food Secur 10, 36 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40066-021-00318-5
