Waldenström, Cecilia
- Department of Urban and Rural Development, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
Research article2016Peer reviewed
Waldenström, Cecilia; Ferguson, Richard; Sundberg, Cecilia; Tidåker, Pernilla; Westholm, Erik; Åkerskog, Ann
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.
Agriculture and the environment; energy policy; environmental management; policy and politics; rural and agricultural development; sustainable development
Society and Natural Resources
2016, Volume: 29, number: 12, pages: 1467-1482
SDG7 Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all
SDG2 End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture
SDG12 Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
Environmental Sciences related to Agriculture and Land-use
Renewable Bioenergy Research
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/08941920.2016.1150538
https://res.slu.se/id/publ/77846