BioMatNet Item: FAIR-CT96-1389 - Socio-economic multiplier model for rural diversification through biomass energy deployment

FAIR-CT96-1389
Socio-economic multiplier model for rural diversification through biomass energy deployment - BIOSEM model

Contacts
Further Information

	Type of Project	Concerted Action
	Contract No	FAIR-CT96-1389
	Total Cost	240,000 ECU
	EC Contribution	240,000 ECU
	Start Date	01/01/1997
	Duration	26 months

Socio-economic multiplier model for rural diversification through biomass energy deployment BIOSEM MODEL

Objectives

There is a clear need to quantify the knock-on effects of bioenergy schemes in rural depressed areas. Bioenergy schemes represent opportunities for European agriculture to diversify into new markets that will create new and additional employment in rural communities. This will also aid in increasing farming incomes and will act as a lever for other investment and contribute to the development of associated commercial and industrial activities. For instance, transport infrastructure and specialist machinery manufacturers will benefit from increased business. This will create additional spending in the community and further add to the knock-on effects.

The objective of this proposal is to develop a quantitative model to analyse the socio-economic impacts of bioenergy deployment through rural diversification and to measure the distribution of benefits and costs of policy packages, particularly the CAP.

Technical Approach

The Biomass Socio-Economic Multiplier (BIOSEM) Model, will be a facilitator for the organisation and analysis of already existing data so that the employment and income benefits from bioenergy development and deployment in rural areas can be measured. The model will simulate the interaction between agricultural crops, biomass production, energy production and other sectors of the economy.

The main aim of this proposal is the development of the BIOSEM model. This will allow:

the estimation of the direct and indirect knock-on effects on employment, income, local services and government revenue created by various phases of the deployment of bioenergy schemes in the participating European countries
the identification of depressed rural areas that would benefit from bioenergy deployment
recommendations for CAP policy reform to assist and promote rural diversification through bioenergy schemes

Expected Results

BIOSEM will assist policy makers to site energy crop production and processing plants and to identify where to target investment so as to get the highest production response or optimal income distribution effects in all the participating European countries. BIOSEM will help policy makers identify recommendations for rural policy and CAP reform and assist rural diversification through bioenergy deployment based on the results of BIOSEM model simulations.

Contacts

Coordinator

Future Energy Solutions UNITED KINGDOM

EC Scientific Officer

Adelmo MOREALE / European Commission DG VI Agriculture BELGIUM

Participant