The impacts of energy from biomass on the perceived quality of life of the rural population in Brandenburg, Germany. Issue 3 (2nd July 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Venghaus, Sandra; Hoffmann, Jens
• Is Part Of: Innovation. Volume 29:Issue 3(2016)
• Page Start: 337
• Page End: 372
• Publication Date: 2016-07-02
• Subjects: energy from biomass -- social impacts -- perceived quality of life -- rural population; Social sciences -- Periodicals; 300.5
• DOI: 10.1080/13511610.2016.1192991
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1351-1610

Abstract

Abstract : On a global scale, the share of energy produced from biomass in total energy production has significantly increased in recent years. At the same time, the ecological and social risks and benefits related to the increasing production of bioenergy are not yet fully understood. From a social perspective, bioenergy has often been promoted as a promising development strategy for rural development. Little research, however, has explicitly addressed questions as to whether the current developments in bioenergy production actually lead to noticeable changes in rural living conditions. In this article we thus present the results of an exploratory investigation of the perceived impacts of bioenergy production on the quality of life of the rural population in the federal state of Brandenburg, Germany. For this purpose, a survey instrument was developed based on the theoretical concept of quality of life adapted specifically for the case of bioenergy. The analysis revealed that the perceptions of impacts on general living conditions in the region are considerably more pronounced than perceptions of impacts on the personal living environment. Statistically significant linkages between the impacts of bioenergy and life satisfaction could be identified primarily for nature and ecology-related effects.