Socio-Economic Impact Assessment

The Global-Bio-Pact consortium carries out a general assessment of socio-economic impacts of both, biomass feedstock production and biofuel/bioproduct conversion chains. The main outcomes of both assessments are studies on socio-economic impacts and related criteria and indicators. Since many feedstock types can be converted into various intermediate and end products, this is a rather complex issue as shown by some simplified conversion routes in the figure below.

Socio-economic impacts of biomass production

The Global-Bio-Pact consortium assesses the sustainability of biomass (feedstock) production with respect to its economic and social impacts. This is done both in general terms and by elaborating five Case Studies. The impact of crop production for biofuels and bioproducts on food security is analysed in a separate part of the work plan, which is dedicated to the analysis of food security impacts of biomass production. Here, the emphasis is on land-use and agricultural aspects of sustainable biomass production.

Socio-economic impacts of Biofuel/bioproducts conversion chains

The objective is to assess the sustainability of existing and new biofuel/bioproduct conversion chains with respect to its economic and social impacts. Thereby, emphasis is put on industrial conversion chains in comparison with small-scale use of biomass. Close cooperation with the assessment of Socio-economic impacts of biomass production is maintained in order to assess the economic and social impacts of the whole life cycle of biofuels/bioproducts.