TY - JOUR
T1 - Integrated Assessment of forest bioenergy systems in Mediterranean basin areas: The case of Catalonia and the use of participatory IA-focus groups
AU - Puy, Neus
AU - Tàbara, David
AU - Bartrolí Molins, Jordi
AU - Bartrolí Almera, Jordi
AU - Rieradevall, Joan
PY - 2008/6
Y1 - 2008/6
N2 - The present paper applies and adapts the methodology of integrated assessment focus groups (IA-FGs) in order to understand and analyse the enhancing factors, as well as the constraints which drive or limit the take-off and development of sustainable forest biomass energy systems in a selected large forested area of the Mediterranean basin. Our study provides both quantitative and qualitative data from Catalonia, Northeast Spain. We provide historical trends in forest expansion; an assessment of technological, socio-economic and ecological options of forest management; and plausible scenarios of its future evolution. Results show that while the opportunities and stakes are high, in Mediterranean countries, specific socio-ecologic factors need to be taken into account if forest biomass is to contribute decisively to securing renewable sources of energy in Europe, integrating landscape planning with resource policies or mitigating climate change. Among these key factors identified are property regimes, low productivity of Mediterranean forests and weak institutional capacity. Other elements such as logistics and supply difficulties and the lack of economic profitability of forest products constitute limitations identified in the implementation of bioenergy systems. Technological solutions alone, while important, are insufficient to ensure a prominent role of Southern Europe forest biomass management in the climate, landscape and sustainability energy policy challenge. © 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
AB - The present paper applies and adapts the methodology of integrated assessment focus groups (IA-FGs) in order to understand and analyse the enhancing factors, as well as the constraints which drive or limit the take-off and development of sustainable forest biomass energy systems in a selected large forested area of the Mediterranean basin. Our study provides both quantitative and qualitative data from Catalonia, Northeast Spain. We provide historical trends in forest expansion; an assessment of technological, socio-economic and ecological options of forest management; and plausible scenarios of its future evolution. Results show that while the opportunities and stakes are high, in Mediterranean countries, specific socio-ecologic factors need to be taken into account if forest biomass is to contribute decisively to securing renewable sources of energy in Europe, integrating landscape planning with resource policies or mitigating climate change. Among these key factors identified are property regimes, low productivity of Mediterranean forests and weak institutional capacity. Other elements such as logistics and supply difficulties and the lack of economic profitability of forest products constitute limitations identified in the implementation of bioenergy systems. Technological solutions alone, while important, are insufficient to ensure a prominent role of Southern Europe forest biomass management in the climate, landscape and sustainability energy policy challenge. © 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
KW - Bioenergy systems
KW - Decision-making
KW - Forestry biomass
KW - Integrated assessment focus groups
KW - Sustainability
U2 - 10.1016/j.rser.2007.01.017
DO - 10.1016/j.rser.2007.01.017
M3 - Review article
SN - 1364-0321
VL - 12
SP - 1451
EP - 1464
JO - Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews
JF - Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews
IS - 5
ER -