WP 2.5: Social and economical aspects of biomass production

Forest management is driven by economic, ecological and sociocultural values of forests. The enthusiasm for forest management and biomass production has been driven by various incentive measures. In view of the wide differences in the land productivity as well as varying opportunity costs across the regions support measures (e.g.: tax relief, subsidies on planting, equipment, loans, insurances etc.) would need to be tailor made for the selected sites for biomass production. In the context of climate change, forest carbon trading has the potential as an important driver of biomass production.

The main objectives of this working package will be:

• Analysis of major driving factors of biomass production under special consideration of potential fiscal support systems by governmental incentives
• Modeling of the potential influence of carbon markets
• Risk assessment for the major biomass production regions of China