ABSTRACT
The increased production and use of biomass for energy purposes and the creation of a market for modern bioenergy is actively pursued for disparate reasons and with diverse policies in different parts of the world (GBEP, 2008). Promotion policies and programmes – some of which are on a large scale – are based on arguments such as climate change mitigation, conservation of the environment, energy and supply security and rural or national development. In its analysis WBGU focuses on the role of bioenergy in a sustainable global energy system and thus has a specific perspective on the global bioenergy discussion. In order to highlight the potentials and limits of bioenergy and the parameters of policy-making, it is important that the dimensions and dynamics of the overall debate are first understood.
