Developing Circular Bioeconomy Sustainability Metrics for Agrifood Systems: Evidence From Southeast Asia

ABSTRACT For most Southeast Asian nations, sustainable development remains a challenge. Despite environmental, technological, social and economic barriers, it is important to track sustainability progress in the region, given its agriculture‐based economy. This study aims to develop sustainability metric indicators for agricultural systems, examine the regional sustainability performance index and identify regional opportunities and challenges for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. We used principal component analysis (PCA) to create new sustainability metrics for Southeast Asia. Data from the Asian Development Bank were used to determine the key dimensions of sustainability metrics. The analysis produced eight sustainability metrics based on component loadings: climate footprint, material‐use efficiency, agrifood system emissions, research and innovation, sustainable consumption and production of biofuels, information and communication technology (ICT), energy access and trade. Most agriculture‐based economies have high emissions from their agricultural systems and low material‐use efficiency. These challenges necessitate strategic development intervention, which aligns with the region's agricultural base. For example, agricultural trade can be expanded to include bio‐based products. This, coupled with the cross‐collaboration of bio‐based products in the region, will minimise agrifood emissions from countries with above‐average emissions, such as Indonesia. This study recommends the development of region‐specific monitoring frameworks to track progress in sustainability.