Chapter 5 - Social Assessment of Biofuels

Abstract

In the last decade, several authors have addressed the social issues of biofuels in a more or less systematic manner covering several geographical contexts around the globe, types of feedstock, products and coproducts, and targeting different groups of stakeholders. The methodology most developed and applied to biofuels projects so far is the social life cycle assessment. In turn, the most advanced tool for general data analysis is the social hotspot database. The majority of the biofuel scenarios under evaluation present oil-bearing crops or lignocellulosic residues as the main feedstock. Bioethanol figures the largest number of social studies. In brief, the key social benefits of biofuels are related to employment, workforce training and education, income generation, and rural development. On the other hand, in case of lack of social management along the biofuel chains, negative outcomes are the disrespect for the smallholder and rural community rights, the poor working conditions along the biofuel supply chains, the existence of migrant workers with precarious living conditions and finally, the issues related to land use and rights.