Daniela Russi

Social Multicriteria Evaluation of Conflict over Rural Electrification and Solar Energy in Spain

A case study is presented with two objectives: (i) to give a clear and simple illustration of social multicriteria evaluation in the field of rural renewable-energy policy, and (ii) to help in understanding the extent to which, and the circumstances under which, solar energy is suitable for electrifying isolated farmhouses. Our aim is to provide public decision makers with insight into the conditions that favour the diffusion of renewable energy. This should facilitate the design of more effective energy policies for rural communities.

Material flow accounting of Spain

Material throughput is a means of measuring the so-called social metabolism, or physical dimensions of a societys consumption, and can be taken as an indirect and approximate indicator of sustainability. Material flow accounting can be used to test the dematerialisation hypothesis, the idea that technological progress causes a decrease in total material used (strong dematerialisation) or material used per monetary unit of output (weak dematerialisation). This paper sets out the results of a material flow analysis for Spain for the period from 1980 to 2000. The analysis reveals that neither strong nor weak dematerialisation took place during the period analysed. Although the population did not increase considerably, materials mobilised by the Spanish economy (DMI) increased by 85% in absolute terms, surpassing GDP growth. In addition, Spain became more dependent on external trade in physical terms. In fact, its imports are more than twice the amount of its exports in terms of weight.

Biofuel Production in Italy and Europe: Benefits and Costs, in the Light of the Present European Union Biofuel Policy

We present and critically evaluate in this paper biofuel production options in Italy, in order to provide the reader with the order of magnitudes of the performance indicators involved. Also, we discuss biofuel viability and desirability at the European level, according to the recent EU regulations and energy policy decisions.