Contrasts and synergies in different biofuel reports

Abstract

The societal debate on biofuels is characterised by increased complexity. This can hinder the effective governance of the field. This paper attempts a quantitative bird's eye meta-analysis of this complexity by mapping different stakeholder perspectives and expected outcomes as seen in the secondary literature on biofuels, along the lines of the People-Planet-Profit framework. Our analysis illustrates the tension between stated and actual drivers of large scale biofuel development, especially for first generation biofuels. Although environmental (Planet) aspects have dominated the biofuel debate, their overall assessment is mostly negative with regard to first generation biofuels. By contrast, economic (Profit) aspects are the only ones that are assessed positively with regard to first generation biofuels. Furthermore, positive and negative assessments of biofuel development are strongly influenced by the differences in focus between different stakeholder clusters. Stakeholders who appear generally supportive to biofuel development (industry) focus relatively more on aspects that are generally assessed as positive (Profit). By contrast, non-supportive stakeholders (NGO's) tend to focus mainly on aspects that are generally assessed as negative (Planet). Moreover, our analysis of reference lists revealed few citations of primary scientific data, and also that intergovernmental organizations produce the most influential publications in the debate. The surprising lack of listed references to scientific ( primary) data reveals a need to assess in which arena the transition of scientific data towards secondary publications takes place, and how one can measure its quality. This work should be understood as a first effort to take some control over a complex and contradictory number of publications, and to allow the effective governance of the field through the identification of areas of overlapping consensus and persisting controversy, without reverting to claims on technical detail.

Biofuel Production: Utilizing Stakeholders’ Perspectives

“…For example, the authors noticed that industrial SMEs focused more on the economic side and converted all their perspectives to equivalent dollars in their discussions. This observation is consistent with the results of a previous study that indicated that business personnel and private sector personnel tend to highlight the importance of profit and the financial side more in their evaluations (Michalopoulos et al, 2011).…”

“…Stakeholders' requirements include notes on the capital risks of investing in biofuels (Wright, Brown, & Boateng, 2008) and facility size requirements (Jack, 2009). Stakeholders generally support biofuel development when there is a clear opportunity for profit (Michalopoulos, Landeweerd, Werf-Kulichova, Puylaert, & Osseweijer, 2011). The work that addresses environmental requirements focuses primarily on CO 2 and greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions.…”

“…The work that addresses environmental requirements focuses primarily on CO 2 and greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions. The opinions on biofuel, both positive and negative, are influenced by differences in stakeholders' perspectives (Michalopoulos et al, 2011). Understanding these requirements is also important to make biofuels a feasible alternative to increase energy, national, and environmental security, as well as to deliver low-cost competitive products to market (Awudu & Zhang, 2012).…”

Genomics in Industry: issues of a bio-based economy

“…The workshop was preceded by an analysis of issues in biofuel reports published by various stakeholders (eg the Food and Agricultural Organization, The World Bank, Worldwatch, the International Energy Agency, Greenpeace, Friends of the Earth), 19 which revealed uncertainty among scientific experts and other stakeholder clusters, as different reports presented different facts and figures, and highlighted different societal, legal and ethical issues. 20 The Centre also organised two public debates held in The Netherlands during September 2008 to identify issues of concern to the public. 21 The first debate, organised in Amsterdam, was aimed at defining sustainability criteria.…”

A multi-criteria decision framework for unstructured complex problem: a strategy for biofuel production

“…Stakeholders' requirements include notes on the capital risks of investing in biofuels (Wright, Brown, & Boateng, 2008) and facility size requirements (Jack, 2009). Stakeholders generally support biofuel development when there is a clear opportunity for profit (Michalopoulos, Landeweerd, Werf-Kulichova, Puylaert, & Osseweijer, 2011). The work that addresses environmental requirements focuses primarily on CO 2 and GHG emissions.…”