Social acceptance and socioeconomic effects of Multi-Use Offshore Developments:Theory and Applications in MERMAID and TROPOS projects

This chapter studies the social acceptance and socio-economic effects associated with the development of multi-use offshore platforms, using a theoretical concept in Taiwan as the relevant case-study. We use a face-to-face surveys together with in-depth interviews with local people and tourists who are currently or will be potentially affected by offshore developments on Liuqiu Island. A choice experiment is deployed to assess the ecosystem services and non-market effects of the platform. The social costs and benefits analysis are adopted to synthesize both market and non-market effects of the platform. The study finds a generally high support for the platform among tourists. The concern mainly focuses on the uncertain environmental impacts and effects on local fishery industry. Neither locals nor tourists view the energy hub which generates most income and jobs as a very attractive option. The Green & Blue concept shows a high environmental nonmarket benefit which amount to 618 million $NT. However, the high investment cost over weighs the positive GDP and environmental gain when comparing the social benefits with investment costs.