Stakeholder priorities for safeguarding sustainability of bioenergy systems: perspectives from the UK

Ensuring the sustainability of bioenergy systems is absolutely key to future development of the industry. However, it is also important to ensure that the safeguards and measures put in place are appropriate for the supply chains that are developing, actually address the most important issues (those likely to have the biggest impacts on sustainability) and have broad ?buy-in? from a wide section of the stakeholder community. This work considers indigenous and imported feedstocks for UK biofuels to examine the extent to which this can be achieved and the extent to which it is currently being addressed. Literature reviews have been carried out of responses to government consultations on bioenergy sustainability legislation in the UK. Detailed interviews have been held with key stakeholders to better understand their perspectives and priorities and stakeholder workshops held to explore in detail the key sustainability issues for different supply chains, how significant a risk they represent and how this can best be mitigated or managed. The results are emerging findings from workshops currently being held that reflect a variety of stakeholder views and priorities with respect to bioenergy sustainability. The policy significance of this with respect to developing certification schemes and similar legislation is articulated by the authors.