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Research article - Peer-reviewed, 2016

Bioenergy From Agriculture: Challenges for the Rural Development Program in Sweden

Waldenström, Cecilia; Ferguson, Richard; Sundberg, Cecilia; Tidåker, Pernilla; Westholm, Erik; Åkerskog, Ann

Abstract

This article addresses the challenges for the EU Rural Development Program (RDP) to promote sustainable bioenergy production from agriculture. Drawing on the Swedish example, we identify opportunities for farmers and discuss agricultural-based bioenergy production in relation to the program objectives for agricultural competitiveness, sustainability and climate effects, and rural development. The sustainability and climate effects of agricultural-based bioenergy can be ascertained only through contextual analysis, and research indicates that rural development may be best promoted through local collaborative energy systems. Contrasting two ideal-type roles farmers may assume in bioenergy production, we discuss Swedish institutional contexts of energy production. In Sweden, the national energy policy tends to favor large-scale energy solutions and farmers taking on the roles as suppliers of primary products in large-scale energy systems. For RDP objectives to be realized, this tendency needs to be countered, local solutions need to be supported, and a national three-tiered energy policy integration needs to be furthered.

Keywords

Agriculture and the environment; energy policy; environmental management; policy and politics; rural and agricultural development; sustainable development

Published in

Society and Natural Resources
2016, volume: 29, number: 12, pages: 1467-1482

Authors' information

Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Urban and Rural Development
Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Economics
Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Energy and Technology
Royal Institute of Technology (KTH)
Swedish Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Engineering (JTI)
Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Urban and Rural Development
Åkerskog, Ann
Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Urban and Rural Development

Sustainable Development Goals

SDG7 Affordable and clean energy
SDG2 Zero hunger
SDG12 Responsible consumption and production

UKÄ Subject classification

Environmental Sciences related to Agriculture and Land-use
Renewable Bioenergy Research

Publication Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/08941920.2016.1150538

URI (permanent link to this page)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/77846