The effectiveness of policy instruments in promoting bioenergy

Bioenergy could make a significant contribution in reducing greenhouse gas emissions in Europe and is unique in its potential to service all three of the major energy demand sectors for heat, electricity and transport fuels. Consequently during the last two decades many different initiatives have been launched and policy instruments employed in different countries to develop the bioenergy sector, some of which have been more successful than others. This paper analyses the relationship between the growth of bioenergy in four European states and national energy policy. The policy instruments used are critically evaluated alongside the evidence base of bioenergy capacity and output achieved. The possible reasons for success or failure of different instruments and any unexpected impacts are discussed and some general conclusions drawn.