Title:
Public Acceptance of Biogas Plants - What Do We Know, Which Knowledge is Needed?
Author(s):
Zoellner, J., Rau, I., Schweizer-Ries, P.
Document(s):
Paper
Abstract:
The present contribution addresses the public acceptance of biogas plants from an environmentalpsychological perspective. It provides an overview of the results of five years of research in several research projects. Parts of the population perceive biogas plants due to smell nuisance and an increasing local traffic volume to be a physical, mental and aesthetical burden and thus feel severely limited in their quality of life. In addition, changes in agriculture such as an increase of monocultures and genetic engineering are main arguments in the current controversy. On the other hand, some communities show a high interest in biogas and even apply for becoming a ‘bio energy region’. Regarding the research results, a strong connection between the regional benefit and a reported public acceptance towards the biogas plants became evident. Another important acceptance factor is the degree to which people feel being affected personally in terms of negative impacts. Furthermore, the consideration of procedural justice criteria during the planning and installation process such as transparency, early and accurate information as well as possibilities to participate were important influencing factors in all regions. In this context, it became evident that peoples’ knowledge is rather low about administrative planning and licensing procedures.
Keywords:
biogas, policies, stakeholders, public acceptance
Topic:
Biomass Policies, Markets and Sustainability
Subtopic:
Support policies, perception and acceptance
Event:
19th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition
Session:
OE3.5
Pages:
2532 - 2534
ISBN-13:
978-88-89407-55-4
ISBN-10:
88-89407-55-7
Paper DOI:
10.5071/19thEUBCE2011-OE3.5
Price:
FREE
