In 2005 the Biomass Task Force report to the UK Government recognised that biomass can play a significant part in reducing Carbon Dioxide emissions through the replacement of energy generated from fossil fuels.

The Biomass Task Force report highlighted the existing barriers to the UK bioenergy market, broadly categorising them into economic, social, and technical. Whilst the economic and technical barriers associated with the UK bioenergy market can be addressed through national policy, legislation and support, the social barriers must be addressed at the local level.

This information paper discusses the social barriers, providing an overview of reasons for local opposition to the development of medium-scale bioenergy generation projects, and suggests how a public relation strategy can be implemented to minimse local opposition.