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Effects of Production of Woody Pellets in the Southeastern United States on the Sustainable Development Goals

Author

Listed:
  • Keith L. Kline

    (Environmental Sciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37830, USA)

  • Virginia H. Dale

    (Three3, Inc., Knoxville, TN 37902, USA
    Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA)

  • Erin Rose

    (Three3, Inc., Knoxville, TN 37902, USA)

  • Bruce Tonn

    (Three3, Inc., Knoxville, TN 37902, USA)

Abstract

Wood-based pellets are produced in the southeastern United States (SE US) and shipped to Europe for the generation of heat and power. Effects of pellet production on selected Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs) are evaluated using industry information, available energy consumption data, and published research findings. Challenges associated with identifying relevant SDG goals and targets for this particular bioenergy supply chain and potential deleterious impacts are also discussed. We find that production of woody pellets in the SE US and shipments to displace coal for energy in Europe generate positive effects on affordable and clean energy (SDG 7), decent work and economic growth (SDG 8), industry innovation and infrastructure (SDG 9), responsible consumption and production (SDG 12), and life on land (SDG 15). Primary strengths of the pellet supply chain in the SE US are the provisioning of employment in depressed rural areas and the displacement of fossil fuels. Weaknesses are associated with potential impacts on air, water, and biodiversity that arise if the resource base and harvest activities are improperly managed. The SE US pellet supply chain provides an opportunity for transition to low-carbon industries and innovations while incentivizing better resource management.

Suggested Citation

  • Keith L. Kline & Virginia H. Dale & Erin Rose & Bruce Tonn, 2021. "Effects of Production of Woody Pellets in the Southeastern United States on the Sustainable Development Goals," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-19, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:2:p:821-:d:481169
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Ashkan Mirzaee & Ronald G. McGarvey & Francisco X. Aguilar & Erin M. Schliep, 2023. "Impact of biopower generation on eastern US forests," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 25(5), pages 4087-4105, May.
    2. Rohit Agrawal & Abhijit Majumdar & Kirty Majumdar & Rakesh D. Raut & Balkrishna E. Narkhede, 2022. "Attaining sustainable development goals (SDGs) through supply chain practices and business strategies: A systematic review with bibliometric and network analyses," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 31(7), pages 3669-3687, November.
    3. Esmaeil Mohammadian Bishe & Hossein Afshin & Bijan Farhanieh, 2023. "Modified Quasi-Physical Grassland Fire Spread Model: Sensitivity Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(18), pages 1-23, September.
    4. Renata Aguayo Lopes da Silva & Renato Cesar Gonçalves Robert & Thomas Purfürst, 2023. "How Is the Forest Sector’s Contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Being Addressed? A Systematic Review of the Methods," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-25, June.
    5. Stephen J. Ramos & Umit Yilmaz, 2023. "Energy transition and city–port symbiosis in biomass import–export regions," Maritime Economics & Logistics, Palgrave Macmillan;International Association of Maritime Economists (IAME), vol. 25(2), pages 406-428, June.

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