METRICS TO SUPPORT INFORMED DECISION MAKING FOR CONSUMERS OF BIOBASED PRODUCTS

Published

October 30, 2008

Author(s)

Barbara C. Lippiatt, Marvin Duncan, Zia Haq, Roger Conway

Abstract

As public policy initiatives, coupled with growing consumer interest have raised the level of interest in the bioeconomy, the question of the appropriate criteria to use in selecting bioproducts, including biofuels, and evaluating their environmental and health effects have all become more important. This paper discusses the challenge faced by U.S. public policy makers, product manufacturers, and consumers in evaluating bioproducts and assessing the micro and macro effects associated with their use. The paper proposes logical, science-based strategies for answering these questions. The paper recognizes that while more research is necessary, a strong foundation is becoming available for use in evaluating the effects of biobased products.

Citation

USDA Agricultural Economics Report series

Pub Type

Others

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Keywords

bioeconomy, bioproducts, environmental impact assessment, life cycle assessment, life cycle costing, sustainability metrics

Citation

Lippiatt, B. , Duncan, M. , Haq, Z. and Conway, R. (2008), METRICS TO SUPPORT INFORMED DECISION MAKING FOR CONSUMERS OF BIOBASED PRODUCTS, USDA Agricultural Economics Report series, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=861559 (Accessed October 13, 2025)