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The challenge of measuring biofuel sustainability: A stakeholder-driven approach applied to the French case

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  • Gino Baudry

    (GEPEA-BAM - Bioprocédés Appliqués aux Microalgues - GEPEA - Laboratoire de génie des procédés - environnement - agroalimentaire - IUT Nantes - Institut Universitaire de Technologie - Nantes - UN - Université de Nantes - UN UFR ST - Université de Nantes - UFR des Sciences et des Techniques - UN - Université de Nantes - IUT Saint-Nazaire - Institut Universitaire de Technologie Saint-Nazaire - UN - Université de Nantes - EPUN - Ecole Polytechnique de l'Université de Nantes - UN - Université de Nantes - ONIRIS - École nationale vétérinaire, agroalimentaire et de l'alimentation Nantes-Atlantique - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique - UBL - Université Bretagne Loire - IMT Atlantique - IMT Atlantique - IMT - Institut Mines-Télécom [Paris] - IUT La Roche-sur-Yon - Institut Universitaire de Technologie - La Roche-sur-Yon - UN - Université de Nantes, LEMNA - Laboratoire d'économie et de management de Nantes Atlantique - IEMN-IAE Nantes - Institut d'Économie et de Management de Nantes - Institut d'Administration des Entreprises - Nantes - UN - Université de Nantes)

  • Florian Delrue

    (CEA - Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives)

  • Jack Legrand

    (GEPEA-BAM - Bioprocédés Appliqués aux Microalgues - GEPEA - Laboratoire de génie des procédés - environnement - agroalimentaire - IUT Nantes - Institut Universitaire de Technologie - Nantes - UN - Université de Nantes - UN UFR ST - Université de Nantes - UFR des Sciences et des Techniques - UN - Université de Nantes - IUT Saint-Nazaire - Institut Universitaire de Technologie Saint-Nazaire - UN - Université de Nantes - EPUN - Ecole Polytechnique de l'Université de Nantes - UN - Université de Nantes - ONIRIS - École nationale vétérinaire, agroalimentaire et de l'alimentation Nantes-Atlantique - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique - UBL - Université Bretagne Loire - IMT Atlantique - IMT Atlantique - IMT - Institut Mines-Télécom [Paris] - IUT La Roche-sur-Yon - Institut Universitaire de Technologie - La Roche-sur-Yon - UN - Université de Nantes)

  • Jeremy Pruvost

    (GEPEA-BAM - Bioprocédés Appliqués aux Microalgues - GEPEA - Laboratoire de génie des procédés - environnement - agroalimentaire - IUT Nantes - Institut Universitaire de Technologie - Nantes - UN - Université de Nantes - UN UFR ST - Université de Nantes - UFR des Sciences et des Techniques - UN - Université de Nantes - IUT Saint-Nazaire - Institut Universitaire de Technologie Saint-Nazaire - UN - Université de Nantes - EPUN - Ecole Polytechnique de l'Université de Nantes - UN - Université de Nantes - ONIRIS - École nationale vétérinaire, agroalimentaire et de l'alimentation Nantes-Atlantique - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique - UBL - Université Bretagne Loire - IMT Atlantique - IMT Atlantique - IMT - Institut Mines-Télécom [Paris] - IUT La Roche-sur-Yon - Institut Universitaire de Technologie - La Roche-sur-Yon - UN - Université de Nantes)

  • Thomas Vallée

    (LEMNA - Laboratoire d'économie et de management de Nantes Atlantique - IEMN-IAE Nantes - Institut d'Économie et de Management de Nantes - Institut d'Administration des Entreprises - Nantes - UN - Université de Nantes)

Abstract

Measuring biofuel sustainability requires dealing with a wide variety of complex and conflicting values at stake. Consequently, the biofuel capacity to contribute to one specific value cannot lead to any absolute conclusion about the overall sustainability of biofuel. The scope of the sustainability concept may vary depending on individuals' preferences, the time scale and the geographical region. Based on the 5 pillars sustainability concept that includes social, economic, environmental, legal and cultural considerations, the present study proposes to assess several biofuel sustainability options for France by 2030 through a stakeholder-driven approach. Rather than seeking to reach a consensus, our approach allows us to capture the wide diversity of stakeholders' perspectives and preferences. French stakeholders perceive 22 different sustainability criteria for biofuels with a very low level of agreement between the different segments of professions (feedstock producers, biofuel producers, refining industry, fuel distributors, car manufacturers, end-users, government and NGOs). In order to operationalize the sustainability assessment, a set of indicators has been identified with stakeholders that allows us to measure the capacity of biofuels to fulfill each of their criteria. Seventeen biofuel options were assessed with regards to economic, social, environmental, cultural and legal considerations, allowing the identification of the strengths and weaknesses of each biofuel.

Suggested Citation

  • Gino Baudry & Florian Delrue & Jack Legrand & Jeremy Pruvost & Thomas Vallée, 2017. "The challenge of measuring biofuel sustainability: A stakeholder-driven approach applied to the French case," Post-Print hal-01527180, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:journl:hal-01527180
    DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2016.11.022
    Note: View the original document on HAL open archive server: https://hal.science/hal-01527180
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    1. Baudry, Gino & Macharis, Cathy & Vallée, Thomas, 2018. "Can microalgae biodiesel contribute to achieve the sustainability objectives in the transport sector in France by 2030? A comparison between first, second and third generation biofuels though a range-," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 155(C), pages 1032-1046.
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