Science Researcher Update | Environment (8)

Bioenergy and Biorenewables: Integrating scientific and societal agendas

ESF Conference Series: Towards a Sustainable Bio-Based Society - Amsterdam, The Netherlands

The transition to a sustainable bio-based society depends on the development and use of alternate sources of energy and materials. Making the promise of biofuels and biorenewables a reality is within the grasp of scientific research and technological innovation, yet more is obviously needed to make it happen. Innovation is an inter-locking set of dependencies between the development of new technology and markets, consumer behaviour and receptiveness to new technology, but can the interdependencies be anticipated? Can the interdependencies be thought of as a series of events that must cascade in an orchestrated series, for which careful planning is needed? For example, what new expectations are being placed on primary producers, and how bioeconomic potential of regions be identified and cultivated? What new roles can social science play as it is called upon to prospectively explore options for the future of the bio-based economy, particularly as difficult socio-economic transitions are anticipated and the burden of responsible research and innovation will be experienced more acutely? And perhaps above all else, who, with which skills, will usher in this new, integrated scientific and social agenda? This conference will engage these themes and questions, and will by its end raise three issues for the development of joint statements from the conference

Organised by CSG, EGN (ESRC Genomics Network) and GEN-AU, with the support of ESF and the contribution of project VALGEN

(Courtesy of Pakhuis de Zwijger, Amsterdam, Netherlands, via facebook.com)

Bioenergy and Biorenewables: Integrating scientific and societal agendas