Abstract
The global energy sector is plagued by a multi-pronged crisis comprising of declining oil reserves, high ecological damage associated with extensive use of fossil fuels as well as widespread energy poverty across many countries of Asia and Africa. These concerns have led to a global shift towards alternative energy sources. Of all the other renewables, it is bioenergy, which was widely touted as the “fuel of the future” at the beginning of the 21st century. However, after the initial euphoria over bioenergy died down, many adverse impacts of commercial bioenergy production began to come to the forefront. These include direct and indirect land use change, competition with food crops leading to heightened food insecurity across many developing countries and land grabs by commercial bioenergy producers. There is little empirical evidence on how far bioenergy will provide a sustainable solution to energy challenges in developing countries. This study fulfills this gap in literature by developing an alternative conceptual framework based on the eco-socialist perspective for developing sustainable bioenergy policies and then using this framework to explore the opportunities and limitations of bioenergy initiatives through an in-depth case study of these projects in Punjab. This region is being promoted for a leading role in the bioenergy sector in India and is being touted as a “green power” economy. The key results from this research reveal that in order to be a sustainable energy alternative, bioenergy policies need to be more people-centric, address the needs of local communities, and recognize the inherent socio-economic and ecological embeddedness of these initiatives.
Original language | English |
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Title of host publication | Fifth International Conference on Global Business, Economics, Finance and Social Sciences |
Subtitle of host publication | Monetary and Financial Stability in Asia! The Way Forward!! |
Place of Publication | Chennai, India |
Publisher | Global Business Research |
Number of pages | 21 |
ISBN (Electronic) | 9781943579747 |
Publication status | Published - 1 Apr 2015 |
Event | Fifth International Conference on Global Business, Economics, Finance and Social Sciences - Hotel Royal Regency, Chennai, India Duration: 1 Apr 2016 → 3 Apr 2016 http://globalbizresearch.org/Chennai_Conference_2016_April/conference_paper.php |
Conference
Conference | Fifth International Conference on Global Business, Economics, Finance and Social Sciences |
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Abbreviated title | GB16 Chennai Conference |
Country/Territory | India |
City | Chennai |
Period | 1/04/16 → 3/04/16 |
Internet address |
Keywords
- Sustainability
- bioenergy
- stakeholder approach
- green power
- marginalization
- eco-socialism
- local communities