socio-cultural impacts assessment protocol

Socio-cultural impacts assessment protocol

2. Socio-cultural impacts Although biodiversity impacts for harvesting hedges for wood fuel are certainly the basis for a sustainable harvesting process, also socio-cultural aspects influence the overall sustainability. Only if the harvesting process in embedded harmonically in local/regional settings negative consequences for the socio-cultural environment can be minimised. Moreover a harvesting process that is embedded successfully can be a source for positive socio-cultural outcomes. To get an analytical access to the socio-cultural impact of harvesting hedges for wood fuel we distinguish our analysis in three dimensions: Current function, energetic use and embeddedness in local actor networks. The current socio-cultural (and economic) function of hedges is important, because certain functions make the harvesting of hedges impossible or create resistance. The current function also includes the interaction with man-made structures. Only if current functions are in line with the harvesting impact, harvesting and an energetic use can be considered. Since the harvested biomass should be used energetically, also factors that determine an efficient and sustainable energetic use influence the socio-cultural impart. The managing and energetic use of hedges is always embedded in socio-cultural structures. These structures are represented by local actors/actor groups that can have (and should have) a significant impact on design of the local environment. Thereby, the managing and energetic use of hedges can be understood as a positive or negative action by the different actors and led to synergies or resistance.


2.1 Current socio-cultural (economic) function to be used for single hedge/hedge row

Ownerships Who is the hedge owner? Detail (name) □ Farmer □ Municipality □ Other organisation Location Where is the hedge located? Name of district □ Within a village/built-up area Name of village/built-up area □ Outside a village/built-up area Name of and distance to and next village/built-up area Current hedge management Is the hedge currently managed? Detail (e.g name/type/management practice) □ Not managed □ Managed by owner □ Managed by other party Age of hedge Current hedge function Please rate the importance of the different current functions of the hedge. Give further details if more information is available. / = No function 1-5 = Importance of function ? = Don’t know / 1 2 3 4 5 ? Detail (e.g. type/name/function/restriction) Screen a highway/road □ □ □ □ □ □ □ Screen other man-made structures □ □ □ □ □ □ □ Part of a conservation or protected area □ □ □ □ □ □ □ Part of a historic field system □ □ □ □ □ □ □ Part of a historic site/monument/parish □ □ □ □ □ □ □ Part of a touristic or recreational area □ □ □ □ □ □ □ Part of a hunting ground area □ □ □ □ □ □ □ Part of the landscape character □ □ □ □ □ □ □ Relevant to funding (eg. EU CC) □ □ □ □ □ □ □ Other function □ □ □ □ □ □ □ Source for energetic use □ □ □ □ □ □ □ Source for building material/manufacturing □ □ □ □ □ □ □ Source of food □ □ □ □ □ □ □ Does the hedge has any other economic or socio-cultural function or value?

Historic hedge function Please rate the importance of the different historic functions of the hedge. Give further details if more information is available. / = No function 1-5 = Importance of function ? = Don’t know / 1 2 3 4 5 ? Detail (e.g. type/name/function/restriction) Screen a highway/road □ □ □ □ □ □ □ Screen other man-made structures □ □ □ □ □ □ □ Part of a conservation or protected area □ □ □ □ □ □ □ Part of a historic field system □ □ □ □ □ □ □ Part of a historic site/monument/parish □ □ □ □ □ □ □ Part of a touristic or recreational area □ □ □ □ □ □ □ Part of a hunting ground area □ □ □ □ □ □ □ Part of the landscape character □ □ □ □ □ □ □ Relevant to funding (eg. EU CC) □ □ □ □ □ □ □ Other function □ □ □ □ □ □ □ Source for energetic use □ □ □ □ □ □ □ Source for building material/manufacturing □ □ □ □ □ □ □ Source of food □ □ □ □ □ □ □ Does the hedge has any other historic function, story and tradition?


2.2 Energetic use to be used for area of hedges/hedge rows

Access to storage and processing facility(s) Name Location Distance to hedges (max.) Storage/Processing S ( km) M ( km) L ( km) Store Dry Screening □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ Energetic use Name of district Distance to biomass source/storage (max.) Number of wood chip heater (average size) S ( km) M ( km) L ( km) S ( kW) M ( kW) L ( kW) □ / □ □ / □ □ / □ ____ ____ ____ □ / □ □ / □ □ / □ ____ ____ ____ □ / □ □ / □ □ / □ ____ ____ ____ □ / □ □ / □ □ / □ ____ ____ ____ □ / □ □ / □ □ / □ ____ ____ ____ □ / □ □ / □ □ / □ ____ ____ ____ □ / □ □ / □ □ / □ ____ ____ ____


2.3 Embeddedness in local actor networks to be used for area of hedges/hedge rows

(involvement of local actors and stakeholders) First of all it is important to get an overview of all relevant actors in the project area to involve them in the planning and harvesting process. It is important to know what the ambitions and struggles of the different actors and stakeholders are to identify trade-off potential (negotiation, compromise) or enable synergies to unfold. A good way to grab the information and opinions of local actors and stakeholders is to have an on-site visit. During this visit is should be explained on some exemplary hedges how the harvesting process works and what possible impacts will come along.

Actor, stakeholder category Actor, stakeholder Ambition Synergy Conflict Support strategy Comments / Notes

Farmers

(Local) environmental groups

(Local) community (public, private persons, inhabitants, elderly)

Local authority and administration

Municipal authority and administration

Regional authority and administration

Supraregional authority and administration

Science and research

Other local societal (religious) organizations and local businesses and enterprises

socio-cultural impacts assessment protocol

Documents