Socioeconomic biorefineries

The specific aim of this chapter is to identify, among the large number of socioeconomic aspects, those perceived by local stakeholders as the most relevant in the development of the biorefinery industry. Apart from the uncertainty of economic profitability, the success of the biorefinery in rural areas also depends on social acceptance by the local community which may be negatively affected by the lack of the convergence of expectations or the sharing of common fears toward the new industry. 

Tax breaks and direct support to biorefinery enterprises are among the most traditional policy measures. In addition, there are also other types of indirect support, such as the voluntary or mandatory targets for the supply and demand of biorefinery products (e.g., municipal transportation committed to substitute a part of fuel need with biofuel). Such incentives are justified on the grounds that biorefinery production could bring local environmental and socioeconomic benefits. However, if they last for a long time, they may cause market distortions, as well as a competitive loss for the firms not involved in biorefinery schemes. 

The elements included in the receivers are the aspects that should be monitored to evaluate the possible impacts of the biorefinery industry in the rural area. In most cases, they are political objectives, of great concern to the local stakeholders. From the monitoring of their evolution over time, the contribution of the industry to the socioeconomic development of the area can be assessed. 

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