Sustainability concerns are key to understanding public attitudes toward woody biomass for energy : A survey of Danish citizens
Ugarte Lucas, Paula (University of Copenhagen. Department of Food and Resource Economics)
Gamborg, Christian (University of Copenhagen. Department of Food and Resource Economics)
Lund, Thomas Bøker (University of Copenhagen. Department of Food and Resource Economics)

Date:	2022
Abstract:	Woody biomass energy makes up a large share of renewable energy consumption in the EU, and the largest share in countries like Denmark. However, little is known about how the public perceive it. This paper presents the results of a questionnaire-based survey of the public in Denmark focusing on attitudes toward woody biomass for energy. The main findings are that, while more people favor than oppose it, a large proportion are undecided about the use of woody biomass. The survey also revealed a lack of knowledge about this energy source. A Best-Worst Scaling methodology revealed that Danes prioritize environmental sustainability concerns - namely biodiversity loss, the hindering of the development of other renewable energy sources and the climate change mitigation potential of woody biomass - over societal and/or economic ones when it comes to the promotion of woody biomass. Finally, it was found that concern about climate change, belief in the mitigation potential of woody biomass, and being younger explained the formation of positive attitudes toward woody biomass. Policy makers aiming to take public concerns into account in discussions about Denmark's energy future should focus more on minimizing the negative environmental impacts associated with woody biomass rather than on its economic benefits.
Rights:	Aquest document està subjecte a una llicència d'ús Creative Commons. Es permet la reproducció total o parcial, la distribució, la comunicació pública de l'obra i la creació d'obres derivades, fins i tot amb finalitats comercials, sempre i quan es reconegui l'autoria de l'obra original.
Language:	Anglès
Document:	Article ; recerca ; Versió publicada
Subject:	Bioenergy ; Renewable energy ; Knowledge ; Perception ; Acceptance ; Best-Worst Scaling ; SDG 7 - Affordable and Clean Energy ; SDG 13 - Climate Action
Published in:	Renewable Energy, Vol. 194 (July 2022) , p. 181-194, ISSN 1879-0682

DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2022.05.075

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