As the world grapples with climate change and the urgent need for sustainable energy solutions, bioenergy has emerged as a promising alternative to fossil fuels. But what does the future of bioenergy look like from the perspective of everyday citizens?
A recent participatory initiative across four European countries—Austria, Sweden, Italy, and Bulgaria—sought to answer this question. The result? Ten inspiring visions for socially inclusive bioenergy actions that could shape the future of the European Strategic Energy Technology (SET) Plan and other strategic EU policies.
Citizen Visions: A Glimpse into 2055
The Center for the Study for Democracy (CSD), in collaboration with Research Institutes of Sweden (RI.SE), Bioenergy and Sustainable Technologies (BEST), and Florence Renewable Energies (ETA), applied the participatory approach CIVISTI that engaged citizens in discussions about science, technology, and innovation. Panels of citizens in each country imagined life in 2055 and explored how bioenergy could fit into a more sustainable and inclusive future. Their ideas were then analysed by experts and translated into policy recommendations.
Below we describe the key themes and insights from the visions, collected by 108 participants from Austria, Bulgaria, Italy and Sweden. Then, participants were given the following prompt for the vision-making process. They discussed within the group how to define, explain and characterise a common vision.
1. Community-Based Energy Models
Citizens envisioned small, self-sustaining communities where energy production and consumption are decentralized. These communities would rely on diverse renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and bioenergy. This would lead to greater energy security, stronger social bonds, and a more equitable distribution of resources. However, challenges such as community conflicts and reduced individual autonomy were also highlighted.
The Visions developed in Austria included re-purposing urban spaces (e.g., facades, pools, green spaces) for bioenergy and agricultural uses, promoting regional communities with shared responsibility for energy production (solar, wind, biomass) and sustainable regional farming initiatives.
2. Sustainable Land Use & Agriculture
Many visions emphasized the importance of integrating bioenergy into sustainable agricultural practices. Citizens proposed using marginal lands for energy crops, converting agricultural residues into bioenergy, and fostering local farming cooperatives. These approaches could improve soil health, restore biodiversity, and reduce dependence on synthetic fertilizers. However, managing agricultural complexity and balancing food and energy production remain significant challenges.
The Visions developed in Italy included promoting synergies between agriculture, environment, and energy, where marginal lands are used for energy crops, boosting sustainability without competing with food production, as well as sustainable development through less use of agricultural inputs like pesticides and fertilizers. Italian visions focused particularly on shared goals for reducing energy waste both regionally and nationally.
3. Technological Innovation & AI in Bioenergy
A futuristic yet practical vision included the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to guide sustainable bioenergy decisions. Citizens proposed an AI-driven traffic-light system to rate bioenergy sources based on their sustainability. Other ideas included automated biomass collection in urban areas and drones for cultivating energy crops. While AI and automation could improve efficiency, concerns about job displacement and algorithm biases were also noted.
The Visions developed in Sweden included ideas aboutadvocating for fair resource distribution (water, food) and joint responsibility for global biodiversity preservation, inspired by the cooperative efforts seen during the COVID-19 pandemic. The use of impartial AI systems to guide bioenergy decisions was of great interest to Swedish citizens, as well as education initiatives to raise awareness about healthy ecosystems and equitable resource distribution.
4. Policy & Governance for Sustainable Bioenergy
Citizens highlighted the need for strong regulatory frameworks to ensure bioenergy development aligns with sustainability goals. Proposed measures included policies promoting waste-to-energy solutions, incentives for sustainable farming, and a shift towards expert-led governance. However, concerns about overregulation and the risk of ineffective policies were raised.
5. Education & Public Awareness
To facilitate the transition to bioenergy, citizens emphasized the importance of education and public engagement. Visions included integrating bioenergy education into school curricula, promoting regional innovation hubs, and ensuring open access to scientific data. While these efforts could drive awareness and acceptance, challenges such as bureaucratic resistance and resource allocation were identified.
The Visions developed in Bulgaria emphasised aligning policies with education goals, considering regional characteristics and technological innovations, developing the specialised workforce, as well as automating biomass collection. Regulatory improvements and institutional capacity to implement necessary solutions were key topics for Bulgarian participants.
Each vision presented both opportunities and challenges as part of this imagined future. All visions depicted a desire for a future where bioenergy is not just a technological solution but also an opportunity to make our lives more sustainable and socially inclusive. The 10 citizen visions provide valuable insights into how bioenergy can be integrated into a sustainable and socially inclusive future.
Learn more about the process and outcomes in this report.