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Public-Perceptions-of-Bioenergy-in-the-UK.pdf

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Abstract:

To complement its existing analysis of the bioenergy sector, the ETI wanted to find out more about current public opinion of bioenergy in the UK and the potential drivers behind those opinions. To do this the ETI developed a survey which was carried out by YouGov in 2015. An extended version of the survey was repeated in 2016. This Insights report draws conclusions from these surveys.

Bioenergy is currently the largest source of renewable energy in the UK and can play a significant and valuable role in the future UK energy system, helping reduce the cost of meeting the UK’s 2050 GHG emissions reduction targets by more than 1% of gross domestic product (GDP).

The results from both the 2015 and 2016 public perceptions of bioenergy surveys show that there is strong support for bioenergy to be generated in the UK from both biomass and waste. Our findings wouldsuggest that the majority of the public would accept a bioenergy sector that uses a mix of domestic and imported biomass, with a preference for domestic feedstocks to be used where possible. There is no strong preference for bioenergy being deployed at a particular scale or in a particular location, enabling the UK to look to deploy those technologies that most benefit a transition to a low-carbon energy system.

These findings suggest that building a bioenergy sector in the UK whilst retaining public backing, will require the UK to increase support for domestic supply chains as well as enabling sustainably sourced imported biomass to be used to meet demand. In building a larger UK biomass feedstock sector, targeted awareness raising of bioenergy and the wider benefits it can bring is likely to increase support for it in the UK. Finally, the UK should continue to identify optimal sites for deployment of bioenergy, taking into account suitable locations for biomass feedstock production.

Publication Year:

2016

Publisher:

ETI

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5286/ukerc.edc.000229

Author(s):

Evans, H. and Newton-Cross, G.

Energy Categories

Class Name:

Subclass Name:

Category Name:

Other Cross-Cutting Technologies or Research

Environmental, social and economic impacts

Other Supporting Data

Renewable Energy Sources

Bio-Energy

Language:

English

File Type:

application/pdf

File Size:

3221107 B

Rights:

Energy Technologies Institute Open Licence for Materials

Rights Overview:

The Energy Technologies Institute is making this document available to use under the Energy Technologies Institute Open Licence for Materials. Please refer to the Energy Technologies Institute website for the terms and conditions of this licence. The Information is licensed "as is" and the Energy Technologies Institute excludes all representations, warranties, obligations and liabilities in relation to the Information to the maximum extent permitted by law. The Energy Technologies Institute is not liable for any errors or omissions in the Information and shall not be liable for any loss, injury or damage of any kind caused by its use. This exclusion of liability includes, but is not limited to, any direct, indirect, special, incidental, consequential, punitive, or exemplary damages in each case such as loss of revenue, data, anticipated profits, and lost business. The Energy Technologies Institute does not guarantee the continued supply of the Information. Notwithstanding any statement to the contrary contained on the face of this document, the Energy Technologies Institute confirms that it has the right to publish this document.

Further information:

N/A

Region:

United Kingdom

Publication Type:

Policy Briefing Paper

Subject:

Policy

Theme(s):

Bioenergy

Related Dataset(s):

Public Perceptions of Bioenergy: Survey Data from YouGov 2015