Open Conference Systems, Nordic Geographers Meeting 2011

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Bioenergy landscapes: possible synergies between the expansion of biogas production and organic farming
Tommy Dalgaard

Last modified: 2011-02-11

Abstract


The Danish Parliaments plan for Green Growth include ambitious goals for the expansion of biogas production to use 50% of all animal manures by 2020, and a doubling of the organic farmed area over the next decade. The aim of this paper is, based on a geographical analysis, to review possible synergies between such expansion of biogas production and the development of organic farming. Especially, we will discuss possible landscape scale synergies, and rural development perspectives, including the major barriers, and spatio-temporal problems, for the development planned. This includes a discussion of potentials to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

It is concluded, that the planned 150% increase in organic farm area is realistic, and, in combination with bioenergy crop production for the biogas plants and other energy purposes, it is even possible to make the organic farming sector independent of manure imports from conventional farming, and reduce the emissions of greenhouse gasses significantly. This will contribute to the vision of a Danish Economy independent of fossil fuels by 2050, as stated by The Danish Climate Commission, and may add to the development goals defined in the Danish Rural Development Program.