INTRODUCTION: SOCIOECONOMIC ASPECTS OF BIOMASS CONVERSION - Biomass as a Sustainable Energy Source for the Future - page 20

to 2009. This requires a substantial restructuring of the energy sector. Figure 1.6
shows the different contributions of mitigation actions in such a way that if all were
to be realized, then the 2DS scenario would be followed with a probability of 80%. As
can be seen, biomass and waste are expected to play a significant role both in future
energy supply and in reducing the GHG emission problem.

1.3 WHAT IS SUSTAINABLE SUPPLY OF BIOMASS?

A globally raised awareness confrontation with the limitations of the oil availability in
the early 1970s as a result of the first oil crisis and ecological concerns (see, e.g., Mea-
dows et al., 1972) gave rise to a first renewed interest in biomass for energy supply and
also virtually all other forms of renewable energy. After the oil crisis, however, the
prices of fossil fuels decreased again due to their higher availability, and this impeded
the further development of bioenergy technology. In the 1980s and 1990s, the concern
grew that global warming and the resulting climate change were enhanced by CO 2
emissions. This led to the Kyoto Protocol (UNFCCC, 1997) aimed at a reduction
of the emission of GHG described in Section 1.1.3 and again stimulated research
in the area of renewables and in particular biomass as one of the key carbon mitigating
sources.
In order to enable the large-scale introduction of sustainably produced bioenergy
and biomass-derived products, a number of technical and nontechnical issues have to
be addressed and solved, such as the configuration of the production technology
chain, storage and transportation options, integration into the existing energy system,
and social acceptance. The transition from the present fossil fuel-based energy system
to a sustainable bio-based energy system is expected to be fragmented and to involve a
diverse mixture of fossil and renewable energy sources.
A

development which meets the needs of the present without compromising the
ability for future generations to meet their own needs

“

has been a globally referred
definition of sustainability. It was first characterized as such by the UN Brundtland
Commission in 1987 (Brundtland, 1987). Figure 1.7 shows an overview of the eco-
nomic, environmental, and social aspects that play a role in the sustainability of bio-
energy supply systems. In Sections 1.3.1 and 1.3.2, the socioeconomic impact and
ecological implications of biomass for energy supply are addressed.

”

1.3.1 Sustainable Biomass in Terms of Socioeconomic Considerations

Economic development relies on a secure energy supply. Related to this is the price
development of alternative fuels, in this case biofuels. Costs associated with introdu-
cing bioenergy technologies are investments to be made in capital for process equip-
ment and infrastructure as well as the needed human capital. Furthermore, of
importance for a sustainable development in terms of economic parameters are the
allowed financing schemes in countries promoting bioenergy technologies. There
is a wide international debate on certification, dealing with the quality of biomass pro-
ducts and related practices; this determines availability and thus pricing. Finally,