Building Trust and Fairness: New Research Highlights Pathways to Successful Bioeconomy Development in Ireland
The bioeconomy represents an alternative to finite fossil resources, a solution for climate change, and an opportunity for economic growth, but what do those who are likely to be affected by its development at local level think about it? A new PhD study involving Teagasc, UCD and BiOrbic, investigated this question with farmers and the wider public in Cork and Kerry, with a particular focus on anaerobic digestion and grass biorefining. These innovations can turn feedstocks such as grass and slurry into valuable products and energy, alongside food.
As part of Bioeconomy Ireland Week 2025, Teagasc is highlighting new research that explores how communities and farmers can engage with the development of bioeconomy innovations. As part of her PhD study entitled “Exploring Social Acceptance of the Bioeconomy: A Case Study of the South-West Region of Ireland”, Mina Sadeghzadeh, based at the Teagasc Food Research Centre, Ashtown, Dublin, examined acceptance of land use practices and infrastructure related to two bioeconomy innovations: Grass Biorefineries (GB) and Anaerobic Digestion (AD). She focused on both the public and farmers in Ireland’s south-west region, since these two important stakeholders can influence and be influenced in bioeconomy development. The study reveals that both communities and farmers can move through distinct behavioural stages, from willingness (passive acceptance) to intention, and ultimately to active support, and that their perspectives on these innovations can vary.
Public Support: Connection to Place and Justice
Using behavioural models, the study found that people’s emotional connection to their local area (place attachment) affects their openness to these innovations, and that perceived justice (fairness) is a significant influence on active support. The public’s perception of transparency and the process used to made decisions and give a voice to stakeholders, procedural justice, influences their support, with positive perceptions of procedural justice improving acceptance despite potential concerns about impacts on the rural landscape or health risks.
“Communities are more open to bioeconomy innovations like AD when they feel included, informed, and respected,” says Mina Sadeghzadeh. “Procedural fairness and meaningful engagement are as important as technical performance in achieving acceptance. Our research revealed that for Irish residents in the southwest region, justice matters in terms of acceptance. Still, procedural justice explains a greater portion of their support than does distributional justice, or the fairness of how resources, benefits and risks are distributed.”
Farmers’ acceptance: confidence, norms, trust, and Justice
For grass biorefineries, farmers’ willingness to accept it is driven by how capable they feel in supplying biomass, showing that empowerment is key to participation. For anaerobic digestion, engagement follows a more deliberate process that depends heavily on trust and justice. Farmers are more likely to commit to supplying biomass when they see AD as transparent, equitable, and aligned with their values. However, unlike the public, for whom procedural justice is most important, distributional justice, the fairness of how benefits and burdens are shared, has a slightly greater effect among farmers. It reflects their more direct relationship with the bioeconomy, where tangible rewards and equitable benefit-sharing determine their participate.
“Because farmers approach each innovation differently, engagement strategies must be aligned with the behavioural logic unique to each technology,” according to Professor Maeve Henchion, Teagasc Principal Research Officer and co-supervisor of the PhD study. She said, “Grass biorefineries may benefit from hands-on demonstration and peer learning, while anaerobic digestion adoption depends more on trust-building, fairness, and institutional clarity.”
A New Framework for the Irish Bioeconomy
Through its ongoing research, Teagasc can help develop socially and locally inclusive bioeconomy pathways, ensuring that Ireland’s move toward a bioeconomy is community-Engaged. This PhD research presents one of the first integrated frameworks for understanding both public and farmer acceptance of bioeconomy innovations in Ireland. By showing how emotional, moral, and institutional factors shape behavioural change, it provides policymakers, planners, and industry with a roadmap for inclusive and socially grounded bioeconomy development.
“Fairness, trust, and personal responsibility aren’t just abstract ideas,” Mina Sadeghzadeh concluded. “They are the foundation of a sustainable bioeconomy in Ireland, one where communities and stakeholders are active partners in the bioeconomy.” Professor Eoin O’Neill, UCD and PhD co-supervisor said; “This work demonstrates how science can inform policy and community engagement. Understanding what drives public and farmer acceptance is crucial for ensuring that Ireland’s bioeconomy grows in a fair, inclusive, and sustainable way.”