“All We Want, Is to Get Rid of the Straw”: How Biofuel Policies Need to Be Multiple

Abstract

biofuels are promoted worldwide as remedy to sustainable-energy challenges in the transport sector and as response to the criticism of first-generation biofuels. By utilizing agriculture and forest residues, 2G biofuels claim to support agricultural livelihoods and boost rural economies. Quantitative estimates exist of the availability of "waste" or "unused" or "surplus" biomass that could be fed into producing bioenergy. Most of current discourse on 2G bioethanol is about developing efficient technologies and supportive policies for biomass utilization and energy distribution, while availability and supply of that biomass are often taken for granted. This paper challenges these presumptions of biomass availability and technological feasibility. Following a social-constructivist analysis of technology and focusing on how political actors, scientists, industry, green-revolution and

How can we build inclusive circular supply chains? Examining the case of agricultural residue usage in India

“…Inclusion of farmers in decision making, especially considering their heterogeneous views on residue management, could also improve the legitimacy and impact of regulations around straw management (Meinzen‐Dick et al, 2013; Pandey et al, 2021). Co‐design for policymakers and businesses can learn for example from the MARISCO methods (Spies et al, 2022).…”

“…A mixed management method approach, in which parts of the residue are sold and parts returned to the soil, could be needed. An example of an innovative solution is one in which the buyer of the straw provides organic manure in exchange for the residue (Pandey et al, 2021). Through proper inclusion, it is possible to decrease the risk of negative ecological impacts.…”

“…An example of an innovative solution is one in which the buyer of the straw provides organic manure in exchange for the residue (Pandey et al, 2021). Through proper inclusion, it is possible to decrease the risk of negative ecological impacts.…”

“…Now, selling straw does not happen on a large scale in India and related supply chains are often unofficial and irregular (Abdurrahman et al, 2020; Bhattacharyya et al, 2021; Chauhan, 2010; Lohan et al, 2018; Lopes et al, 2020; Parihar et al, 2023; Sanjay et al, 2021). Certain industries, such as cardboard factories and bioenergy facilities, do buy small amounts of straw and some residues are also traded for fodder (Lohan et al, 2018; Pandey et al, 2021; Sanjay et al, 2021; Singh et al, 2016). Many of India's farmers are small‐scale or marginal farmers and as such are in a vulnerable situation.…”

Temporality in epistemic justice

“…The connection between time and identity provides a further conceptual clue to understanding the relationship between time and epistemic justice: it further substantiates how knowing is situated in time and depending on dominant timescapes. Pandey and Sharma (2021) and Pandey, Valkenburg, Mamidipudi, and Bijker (2021) provide the example of Indian farmers who are not taken seriously as knowers in a process where significant innovations in their production system are discussed and possibly imposed on them. Their knowledge about the alignment of their agricultural production practice and the broader food supply system is concerned.…”