Sustainability that backfires: the case of biogas in Emilia Romagna

•The paper investigates the causal processes of biogas development in Emilia Romagna (Italy).•Triple bottom line sustainability is the dependent variable explored.•The paper employs qualitative system dynamics, i.e. causal loop diagram.•The study uses semi-structured interviews, public documents and reports analysis

The development of a low carbon society does not always deliver sustainable outcomes at local level, as in the case of bioenergy. This paper analyses the impacts of biogas development in Emilia Romagna (Italy) from a social, economic and environmental perspective (triple bottom line). Since 2009, the number of biogas plants has exponentially increased here, following the introduction of the feed-in tariff. Social opposition has been rising since. Therefore, the goal of the study is to investigate the causal processes of biogas development in order to understand what endangered its triple bottom line sustainability. The study does so by employing qualitative system dynamics (i.e. causal loop diagram). Results show that sustainability is threatened by weak local synergies, plants management and equipment deficiencies and agriculture related issues. The analysis suggests that policy interventions should focus on biomass supply and outputs diversification, governance, and social participation.