Seeing the Forest for the Trees - Australian Forest Biomass for Energy: An Investigation of Understanding, Acceptance, Trust & Legitimacy
(2012) In IIIEE Master thesis IMEN41 20122The International Institute for Industrial Environmental Economics
- Abstract
- Forest biomass used in bioenergy systems, is a proven, large scale, cost-effective and growing renewable energy source in numerous countries. In Australia, the technical potential and environmental benefits of forest biomass for energy purposes are evident to many social and market actors, yet implementation is minimal. This work investigates a number of the underlying factors for the low implementation of forest derived bioenergy.
This paper works from a point of departure that bioenergy from forests has potential for economic, social and environmental merit, and that a major constraint is a lack of understanding and acceptance among important stakeholders. The analysis focuses on the views and attitudes towards utilising forest biomass... (More) - Forest biomass used in bioenergy systems, is a proven, large scale, cost-effective and growing renewable energy source in numerous countries. In Australia, the technical potential and environmental benefits of forest biomass for energy purposes are evident to many social and market actors, yet implementation is minimal. This work investigates a number of the underlying factors for the low implementation of forest derived bioenergy.
This paper works from a point of departure that bioenergy from forests has potential for economic, social and environmental merit, and that a major constraint is a lack of understanding and acceptance among important stakeholders. The analysis focuses on the views and attitudes towards utilising forest biomass for energy purposes in Australia - aiming to seek clarity into why forest biomass energy is not utilised in Australia; as it is internationally. This research seeks insights into why it is constrained, and how it can develop the legitimacy it needs if it is to contribute to Australia’s renewable energy mix. It considers an analysis of stakeholder salience and works within the institutional theory to explore the importance of stakeholder legitimacy in forest biomass for energy.
Findings indicate that implementing forest biomass for energy purposes in Australia has been overshadowed by disputes regarding Australian ‘native forests’ - which has damaged social acceptance of forest biomass and discredited bioenergy in Australia. This thesis concludes with tentative recommendations directed at developing greater understanding of forest biomass through product differentiation of bioenergy forms, and integrating regional forest biomass for energy applications to enhance social acceptance and a community licence for forest biomass use in Australia. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
http://lup.lub.lu.se/student-papers/record/3127141
- author
- Ulrik, Kai LU
- supervisor
-
- Philip Peck LU
- organization
- course
- IMEN41 20122
- year
- 2012
- type
- H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
- subject
- keywords
- Forest Biomass, Wood Waste, Harvest Residue, Legitimacy, Social Acceptance
- publication/series
- IIIEE Master thesis
- report number
- 2012:25
- ISSN
- 1401-9191
- language
- English
- id
- 3127141
- date added to LUP
- 2012-10-08 10:44:21
- date last changed
- 2012-10-08 14:29:29
@misc{3127141,
abstract = {{Forest biomass used in bioenergy systems, is a proven, large scale, cost-effective and growing renewable energy source in numerous countries. In Australia, the technical potential and environmental benefits of forest biomass for energy purposes are evident to many social and market actors, yet implementation is minimal. This work investigates a number of the underlying factors for the low implementation of forest derived bioenergy.
This paper works from a point of departure that bioenergy from forests has potential for economic, social and environmental merit, and that a major constraint is a lack of understanding and acceptance among important stakeholders. The analysis focuses on the views and attitudes towards utilising forest biomass for energy purposes in Australia - aiming to seek clarity into why forest biomass energy is not utilised in Australia; as it is internationally. This research seeks insights into why it is constrained, and how it can develop the legitimacy it needs if it is to contribute to Australia’s renewable energy mix. It considers an analysis of stakeholder salience and works within the institutional theory to explore the importance of stakeholder legitimacy in forest biomass for energy.
Findings indicate that implementing forest biomass for energy purposes in Australia has been overshadowed by disputes regarding Australian ‘native forests’ - which has damaged social acceptance of forest biomass and discredited bioenergy in Australia. This thesis concludes with tentative recommendations directed at developing greater understanding of forest biomass through product differentiation of bioenergy forms, and integrating regional forest biomass for energy applications to enhance social acceptance and a community licence for forest biomass use in Australia.}},
author = {{Ulrik, Kai}},
issn = {{1401-9191}},
language = {{eng}},
note = {{Student Paper}},
series = {{IIIEE Master thesis}},
title = {{Seeing the Forest for the Trees - Australian Forest Biomass for Energy: An Investigation of Understanding, Acceptance, Trust & Legitimacy}},
year = {{2012}},
}