Rural development

The arguments in favour of the increased use of bioenergy are those that a support the sustainability of forests and communities; that is environmental, economic, and social. These three are linked; the implementation of one affecting the others. Harvesting, processing and transport of wood fuels and energy production improves employment and increases earnings, especially in rural areas where unemployment is often high and de-population a problem.

The increased use of bioenergy has stimulated a revival of cultural traditions. In the boreal forest, like in Canada, many remote communities have no year-round road or connections to electricity grids, and are dependent on diesel generators supplied by fuel flown or barged in at high cost. These communities are often surrounded by forest that could provide the necessary biomass for energy generation, making the community more self-sufficient, reduce costs, provide employment, and integrate well with a forest-based culture.

As reported by the US Department of Energy, in the USA economic activities associated with biomass currently supports about 66,000 jobs, most of which are in rural regions. It is predicted that by the year 2020, over 30,000 MW of biomass power could be installed, with about 60% of the fuel supplied from over 10 million acres of energy crops and the reminder from biomass residues. This would support over 260,000 US jobs and would substantially revitalize rural economies.

Small farm in Central Ireland		Gill and Mark planting willows on a farm in Berkshire, England, UK		Bioenergy is often connected with a support to traditional industries – clog factory in Holland		Biomass - natural fuel for ecotourism (Kumrovec, Croatia)