Bioenergy in the Mediterranean: The Sustainability Component Uwe R. Fritsche Coordinator, Energy & Climate Division Öko-Institut (Institute for Applied Ecology), Darmstadt Office Introductory remarks for Session 4 of the Expert Consultation “Sustainable Bioenergy cropping systems for the Mediterranean”, Madrid, Ministry of Environment, Feb 9-10, 2006

The Issues: Social High-quality small-scale food production (e.g. cheese, oil, wine): conflict with “mass-production” of bioenergy ? Acceptance of bioenergy, and speed of innovation and social change adequate? Rural development needs/agrotourism: who will do the “bioenergy cropping” farm work? Cooperative structures vs. selling to “global players”: how to share the benefits?

The Issues: Economic Higher bioenergy production costs due to smaller-scale settings? Competing prices in the Mediterranean (share of fossil oil; lower internalization)? Who invests in infrastructure (logistics) ? Adequate access to finance? Incentives to „switch“ to perennials?

The Issues: Technical smaller + more local/regional approaches and systems vs. „bundling“ (CRES)? „Dry“ biomass better than „wet“ (biogas…)? Transport infrastructure (bioenergy logistics)? …