The aim of this study is to discuss how information about the development and use of bio-energy is forwarded and disseminated to general public via the Chinese Internet. Furthermore, this study also explores in what manner the information of renewable energy policies is introduced.
A research method used in this study is content analysis. Altogether 19 energy related web platforms were found.
A thorough analysis was conducted by focusing on one of them: the www.china5e.com. The results of this study indicated that in China there is a tendency on the Internet to disseminate primarily the positive information about bio-energy with a great emphasis on its benefits. In addition, the study shows that when analyzing the content of the news articles, biogas and liquid bio-fuel will be the main bio-energy development drivers in China in the near future.
Published in: Energy Policy 37 (2009) 2300–2309
Yields from commercial short rotation willow plantations
There have been many studies concerning the actual yields from short rotation willow plantations. In Europe up to now, only Sweden has developed a large enough programme based in willow biomass production for bioenergy, covering around 16 000 ha. Those are not research plots, but commercially managed plantations, and offer the first large enough sample of yields as well as a lot of information and experience about the development of such crops.
This is what we have studied in this publication "Yield models for commercial willow biomass plantations in Sweden" published last year in Biomass and Bioenergy. The most important finding has been the large effect that management practices have on the productivity. Also, we have found that cereal yields can serve as a good proxy for the prediction of willow productivity. We will continue this line of research, and any feedback is very welcome.
MOLA-YUDEGO B, ARONSSON P. 2008. Yield models for commercial willow biomass plantations in Sweden. Biomass and bioenergy 32(9):829-837.
Abstract
A yield model for willow plantations for bioenergy production in Sweden was developed based on recorded production of 2082 commercial plantations during the period 1989–2005. The model predicts yield for the first, second and third harvest using oats (avena) production as agro-climatic index. The mean annual yields were 2.6, 4.2 and 4.5 oven dry tonnes (odt) per hectare during the first, second and third cutting cycles, respectively. The yield correlated inversely with the length of the cutting cycle. The results of the study show significant differences between growers, which suggest the importance of proper management in the establishment and tending of the plantations. Model estimates for 25% of the best growers vary from 4.0 to 6.3 odt ha−1 yr−1 in 5-year-rotation plantations during the first cutting cycle, and from 5.4 to 7.1 odt ha−1 yr−1 in 4-year-rotations for the second cutting cycle. The proposed model can be applied in policy making and for management planning.
Keywords
Growth and yield; Bioenergy; Mixed models; Management
Growth and yield; Bioenergy; Mixed models; Management
Facilitating resolution of forest conflicts through understanding the complexity of the relationship between forest industry and ENGOs
There has been considerable focus by environmental groups (ENGOs), such as WWF and Greenpeace, and media, on the activities of forest industry both in Finland and abroad. The most recent examples of this include Stora Enso’s operations in China and Brazil as well as Metsä Botnia in Uruguay. The ENGOs often launch campaigns to get the companies to improve various aspects of their operations. The campaigns are often part of conflicts between local communities, indigenous peoples and the forestry company.
This PhD focuses on the relationship between the ENGOs and forest industry in Indonesia, including the role of UPM-Kymmene, as well as investigating areas of the Upper Lapland conflict. Both of these have received extensive coverage in Finnish and international media.
The work has covered different dimensions of the often hostile relationship including:
1. The impact of ENGO campaigns (including by Friends of the Earth Finland) on APRIL, the Indonesian pulp and paper company, as well as on its associates (including UPM-Kymmene).
2. The legitimacy of the actions of both APRIL as well as the ENGOs campaigning against the company.
3. What ENGOs are trying to achieve in their campaigns against forest industry companies such as APRIL and Metsähallitus in Upper Lapland.
These issues lead to the general finding that conflicts, regarding management of forest resources, are often deeply complex. This complexity includes the roles and strategies of the ENGOs and the different interpretations of reality that are a reflection of the interests and values of the parties concerned. This complexity often makes resolution of the conflict increasingly difficult. These findings led to the creation of a tool, Ethical Analysis, that would create an environment making solving the conflict more possible. The tool could be applied in such seemingly complex and intractable conflicts as the Upper Lapland conflict.
Click here to read the full thesis
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