Sustainability Impact Assessment on the Production and Use of Different Wood and Fossil Fuels Employed for Energy Production in North Karelia, Finland

Abstract

Abstract:The utilization rate of woody biomass in eastern Finland is high and expected to increase further in the near future as set out in several regional, national and European policies and strategies. The aim of this study was to assess the sustainability impacts of changes in fuel consumption patterns. We investigated fossil and woody biomass-based energy production chains in the region of North Karelia, focusing on some economic, environmental and social indicators. Indicators were selected based on stakeholder preferences and evaluated using the Tool for Sustainability Impact Assessment (ToSIA). The analysis was based on representative values from National Forest Inventory data, scientific publications, national and regional statistics, databases, published policy targets and expert opinion. From the results it became evident that shifting from fossil to wood-based energy production implies some trade-offs. Replacing oil with woody biomass in energy production would increase the local value added remaining in the region, create employment opportunities and would reduce total GHG emissions. However, firewood, wood chips from small-diameter trees from early thinning and wood pellets have high production costs. Moreover, large greenhouse gas emission resulted from wood pellet OPEN ACCESSEnergies 2012, 5 4871 production. The case study generated valuable reference data for future sustainability assessments and demonstrated the usefulness of ToSIA as a tool presenting existing knowledge on sustainability impacts of alternative energy supply chains to inform decision making.

Forest Maintenance Practices and Wood Energy Alternatives to Increase Uses of Forest Resources in a Local Initiative in Nishiwaga, Iwate, Japan

“…On the one hand, users receive a benefit by reducing their heating expenditures compared to using fossil fuel, and local economies simultaneously receive a larger economic impact than fossil fuel, despite the reduction in user expenditures. Den Herder et al [7] also conducted similar analysis on production cost and local value added. Their results are mostly consistent with ours, although some assumptions are different: they assume wood chips are processed outside the study site, while we assume that wood chips are processed in the locality.…”

“…Although these policies are made at national level, decisions of implementation of FMPs are made at local level. Additionally, use of wood energy is also expected to produce sound impacts on local economies by promoting local economic activities [7]. For the sustainable utilization of wood resources, such side effects must also be assessed at local level as well.…”

Indicators and tools for assessing sustainability impacts of the forest bioeconomy

“…Gross domestic product (GDP) has been suggested as an economic indicator in a number of studies (Solow 1993;den Herder et al 2012;Hall 2015). It is an important indicator of economic activity and it also indicates well-being; however, GDP as an indicator has its own limitations (Solow, 1993).…”

“…For example, substitution of fossil fuels with forest-based alternatives can provide much information about GHGs and the economy (den Herder et al 2012) and presented in both absolute terms (volume and monetary value) and in relative numbers, such as shares in national consumption or trade. Limiting fossil fuel use is an effective way to mitigate climate change.…”

Environmental Justice and Sustainability Impact Assessment: In Search of Solutions to Ethnic Conflicts Caused by Coal Mining in Inner Mongolia, China

“…For example, Becker presents an overview on sustainability indicators for assessing economic, environmental, and social sustainability which includes "equity coefficients (Gini coefficient, Atkinson's weighted index of income distribution), disposable family income, and social costs, participation, and tenure rights [26]. Herder et al used "production costs" and "local value added" as economic indicators and "employment" as a social indicator [29]. However, the incorporation of these sustainability truths into assessment and decision-making processes remains somewhat daunting in practice.…”