Global Bioenergy Stories®

Global Bioenergy Stories® is an outreach activity developed by a team of researchers at the Energy and Bioproducts Research Institute (EBRI) at Aston University, funded by the Supergen Bioenergy Hub.

We are working to engage with communities across the globe to create and visualise local narratives about energy of the future. Predominantly working with young people from different regions and countries, Global Bioenergy Stories® gives young people and the next generations a voice. It provides opportunities to get their thoughts, experiences, concerns and visions communicated to the wider world.

What is it about?

Global Bioenergy Stories® captures the perspectives of local communities, especially young generations, through the following questions:

What is renewable/bioenergy?
How is it/can it be used?
What could a sustainable, inclusive future, that benefits people of all ages look like?

Who is it for?

Global Bioenergy Stories® is aimed at young people from aged 11+ all over the world. However, the concept can be adapted to younger and older age groups as the concept is flexible and inclusive.

What is available?

Global Bioenergy Stories® started as a project working with young people and illustrators in different countries. We have produced a number of illustrations, a multi-lingual video library and open-access workshop concept and teaching material, all available in our resource centre.

About 12% of the global energy is supplied by renewable energy. Approximately 55% of this renewable energy is supplied by biomass.

Research by the UK Supergen Bioenergy Hub has shown that modern bioenergy can contribute significantly to climate change mitigation by reducing the greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, bioenergy provides wider environmental, economic and social benefits.

However, technology interventions can only be successful if they work for the people who are going to use them. It is important to understand the needs of the people and provide information and knowledge in an accessible and inclusive form that supports their decision making.

About 25% of the global population are younger than 15 years and about 16% are 15 to 24 years old. Recent climate change youth movements have shown emphatically that we cannot make decisions about the transition to a low-carbon and sustainable society without including the experiences and visions of young generations.

Global Bioenergy Stories® provides scientific knowledge to young generations about sustainable energy systems in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. It gives the young people a platform to voice their visions for sustainable energy in collaboration with local artists and informed by UK bioenergy scientists.