The Regional Economic Impacts of Biofuels : A Review of Multisectoral Modelling Techniques and Evaluation of Applications

Allan, Grant (2011) The Regional Economic Impacts of Biofuels : A Review of Multisectoral Modelling Techniques and Evaluation of Applications. Discussion paper. University of Strathclyde, Glasgow.

[thumbnail of Allan-DPIE-2011-the-regional-economic-impacts-of-biofuels]
Preview
Text. Filename: Allan_DPIE_2011_the_regional_economic_impacts_of_biofuels.pdf
Final Published Version

Download (758kB)| Preview

Abstract

The regional economic impact of biofuel production depends upon a number of interrelated factors: the specific biofuels feedstock and production technology employed; the sector’s embeddedness to the rest of the economy, through its demand for local resources; the extent to which new activity is created. These issues can be analysed using multisectoral economic models. Some studies have used (fixed price) Input-Output (IO) and Social Accounting Matrix (SAM) modelling frameworks, whilst a nascent Computable General Equilibrium (CGE) literature has also begun to examine the regional (and national) impact of biofuel development. This paper reviews, compares and evaluates these approaches for modelling the regional economic impacts of biofuels.