TWECOM - Towards eco-energetic communities

Socio-cultural impacts assessment protocol

Socio-cultural impacts assessment protocol

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.

Socio-cultural impacts assessment protocol

Current socio-cultural (economic) function

Ownerships
Who is the hedge owner?
Farmer
Municipality
Other organisation
Location
Where is the hedge located?
Within a village/built-up area
Outside a village/built-up area
Current hedge management
Is the hedge currently managed?
Not managed
Managed by owner
Managed by other party

to be used for single hedge/hedge row

Detail (name)

Name of district
Name of village/built-up area
Name of and distance to and next village/built-up area

Detail (e.g name/type/management practice)

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
? = Dont know
/ 12345 ?
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
? = Dont know
/ 12345 ?
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?

Socio-cultural impacts assessment protocol

to be used for area of hedges/hedge rows

Energetic use
Access to storage and processing facility(s)
Name
Location

Energetic use
Name of district

Distance to hedges (max.)

S ( km)
M ( km)
L ( km)

Distance to biomass source/storage (max.)

S ( km)
M ( km) L ( km)
/
/
/
/
/
/
/
/
/
/
/
/
/
/
/
/
/
/
/
/
/

Storage/Processing
Store Dry Screening

Number of wood chip heater (average size)

S ( kW)
M ( kW) L ( kW)
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Socio-cultural impacts assessment protocol

to be used for area of hedges/hedge rows

Embeddedness in local actor networks

(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 onsite 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
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

Actor, stakeholder

Ambition

Synergy

Conflict

Support strategy

Comments / Notes