Stakeholders’ Perceptions of Geographical Criteria for Loblolly Pine Management for Bioenergy Production in Virginia (original) (raw)
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Journal of Renewable and Sustainable Energy, 2015
ABSTRACT Bioenergy has a key role in the European Union (EU) policy aimed at enhancing energy security and mitigating climate change. In the implementation of EU policy at national, and—especially—at regional and local levels, the inclusion of stakeholders' opinions is crucial to increase social acceptance and to reduce conflicts between the parties. This study analyzes stakeholders' opinions of biomass-based energy development at the local level (Sarentino valley, South Tyrol region, Italy) by using the SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats)-AHP (Analytical Hierarchy Process) approach. SWOT-AHP methodology was implemented in three stages: stakeholders analysis, identification of the SWOT factors, and evaluation of the SWOT factors. Strategic factors were evaluated using the outcomes of a questionnaire administered to five groups of stakeholders (public administrations, NGO and associations, academia, farmers, and forest-wood chain actors). The results showed a firm prevalence for the strengths (33.3%) and opportunities (32.9%) over the potential threats (18.8%) and weaknesses (15%) of the actual bioenergy supply chain in Sarentino valley. SWOT-AHP methodology could be useful in the development and implementation of a local and regional participatory decision making process in the forest-wood-energy supply chain as it can provide structural and quantified analysis of the subjective preferences of the stakeholders.
Advancing Sustainable Bioenergy: Evolving Stakeholder Interests and the Relevance of Research
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The sustainability of future bioenergy production rests on more than continual improvements in its environmental, economic, and social impacts. The emergence of new biomass feedstocks, an expanding array of conversion pathways, and expected increases in overall bioenergy production are connecting diverse technical, social, and policy communities. These stakeholder groups have different-and potentially conflicting-values and cultures, and therefore different goals and decision making processes. Our aim is to discuss the implications of this diversity for bioenergy researchers. The paper begins with a discussion of bioenergy stakeholder groups and their varied interests, and illustrates how this diversity complicates efforts to define and promote ''sustainable'' bioenergy production. We then discuss what this diversity means for research practice. Researchers, we note, should be aware of stakeholder values, information needs, and the factors affecting stakeholder decision making if the knowledge they generate is to reach its widest potential use. We point out how stakeholder participation in research can increase the relevance of its products, and argue that stakeholder values should inform research questions and the choice of analytical assumptions. Finally, we make the case that additional natural science and technical research alone will not advance sustainable bioenergy production, and that important research gaps relate to understanding stakeholder decision making and the need, from a broader social science perspective, to develop processes to identify and accommodate different value systems. While sustainability requires more than improved scientific and technical understanding, the need to understand stakeholder values and manage diversity presents important research opportunities.
Charting global position and vision of stakeholders towards sustainable bioenergy
Energy, Sustainability and Society, 2019
Background Stakeholder’s position of bioenergy sustainability is important for the deployment and contribution of bioenergy to sustainable development. Existing publications are usually limited to specific geographical contexts and focuses. This paper aims more broadly to examine the position and vision of a wider range of stakeholder groups towards bioenergy and its development at a global level. Method The applied methodology includes six steps: (1) identification of stakeholders as belonging to one of seven groups; (2) describing the role of each group in relation to bioenergy; (3) data collection via an online questionnaire, roundtable dialogues and interviews to examine their stated awareness and opinions of bioenergy development, driver and barriers to such development; (4) data analysis; (5) comparison of interests and influence as a basis for expressing position and vision; and (6) recommendations for gaining support for sustainable bioenergy development. Results The stakeho...
In: Jacobson, M. and Ciolkosz, D. (eds). Wood-Based Energy in the Northern Forests, 2013
As discussed in earlier chapters, the forest and agricultural lands in the Northeast are poised to have a signifi cant role in meeting societal demands for energy independence and renewable energy. Woody biomass, harvested and processed sustainably, can be converted into a diverse set of energy and bioproducts. In particular, woody bioenergy holds promise as a way of augmenting or replacing petroleum-or coal-based energy sources. However, additional research is needed to encourage widespread establishment of the woody bioenergy in this region. Research can reduce barriers across the entire supply chain, from plant genetics and production, to harvesting and logistics, to processing and marketing. However, there is a long recognized gap between knowledge creation through science, and action through application of that research into practice. In order to match research "supply" provided by researchers with research "demand" by stakeholders in industry, government, and communities, new models of linking researchers and bioenergy stakeholders are currently being tested. This chapter summarizes the fi ndings of a social considerations study conducted with stakeholders who were invited to participate in the development of a multi-state sustainable bioenergy research proposal. The study was designed to gather information from stakeholders through an online
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Continued development of cellulosic-based biofuels is needed to provide renewable energy and strengthen rural investment and development in the United States (US). To ensure biofuel development is sustainable and does not negatively affect ecosystem services, stakeholder input is necessary to identify sensitive and meaningful indicators. A major challenge is that there are substantial differences in terminology, perspectives, and methods used to quantify sustainability and ecosystem services with regard to processes, biodiversity, and socioeconomic effects. Our objectives were to identify relevant indicator categories for both perspectives using a case study from the US state of Iowa. A scientific literature review and engagement with stakeholders were used to identify 11 indicator categories associated with production, harvest, storage, and transport of cellulosic feedstocks. Five categories focus on environmental concerns (soil quality, water quality and quantity, greenhouse gas emissions, biodiversity, and productivity) and six on socioeconomic concerns (social wellbeing, energy security, external trade, profitability, resource conservation, and social acceptability). Although these indicators reflect sustainability concerns of these stakeholders, additional monitoring and stakeholder engagement are needed to support the continual improvement that is part of adaptive management.
Folia Forestalia Polonica, 2015
The paper presents a method for identifying and classifying local stakeholders involved in renewable energy development. The method is based on the expert assessment and comprises three main steps: (1) identification of the independent experts considering their expertise and knowledge of the local context; (2) identification of the local stakeholders based on expert assessment; and (3) analytical categorisation of stakeholders taking into account the professional relationship network. Using forest biomass (bioenergy) production as example, the stakeholder analysis is illustrated on the case study of Triglav National Park, which is characterised by a high potential of woody biomass production and a large number of stakeholders involved in land use and management. The first stage of stakeholder analysis identifies the key stakeholders to be involved in bioenergy development, through a survey with local experts. The results highlight eight key stakeholders and several primary and secon...
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A hybrid Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats-Analytic Network Process (SWOT-ANP) framework was used to assess further development of biomass-based energy production in Kentucky. SWOT-ANP analyses were conducted with a focus group of forest policy experts in a statewide symposium on bioenergy development. Results show that participants perceive negative aspects associated with bioenergy development in Kentucky as more important than positive aspects. This suggests that various negative factors associated with bioenergy development may have to be addressed for ensuring its successful adoption in Kentucky. Results also show that factors influencing bioenergy development in Kentucky are interrelated and that SWOT-ANP can account for some of these interrelations.
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Environmental impacts associated with the use of fossil fuels, rising prices, potential limitations in supply and concerns about regional and national security are driving the development and use of biomass for bioenergy, biofuels and bioproducts. However, the use of biomass does not automatically imply that its production, conversion and use is sustainable. In order to operationalize sustainability assessments of biomass systems, it is crucial to identify critical criteria, but keep them at a manageable level. The selection of these criteria can vary depending on individual's expertise, geographical region, and attribute on spatial scale. No clear consensus has yet emerged as to what experts consider critical indicators of sustainability. Objectives of this paper were to analyze how experts score sustainability criteria and to identify levels of agreement and uncertainty.
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