{"id":26743,"date":"2015-06-25T02:52:56","date_gmt":"2015-06-25T00:52:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/?p=26743"},"modified":"2015-06-24T13:56:22","modified_gmt":"2015-06-24T11:56:22","slug":"bioenergy-is-key-to-a-low-carbon-future","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/bioenergy-is-key-to-a-low-carbon-future\/","title":{"rendered":"Bioenergy is key to a low-carbon future"},"content":{"rendered":"

The report, Bioenergy & Sustainability: Bridging the Gaps, was led by researchers from the Sao Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) in Brazil, and contains contributions from more than 130 experts from 24 countries. <\/strong><\/p>\n

Scientific studies were developed that assessed topics ranging from land use and feedstocks, to technologies, impacts, benefits and policy. The report examined how bioenergy expansion impacts four themes:<\/p>\n

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  1. Energy security<\/li>\n
  2. Food Security<\/li>\n
  3. Environmental and Climate security<\/li>\n
  4. Sustainable Development and Innovation<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    “Bioenergy derived from plants can play an essential role in satisfying the world’s growing energy demand, mitigating climate change, sustainably feeding a growing population, improving socio-economic equity, minimising ecological disruption and preserving biodiversity,\u201d the authors said.<\/p>\n

    Biofuels could provide 30% of transport fuel by 2050<\/h3>\n

    Currently bioenergy contributes approximately 10% of the world\u2019s primary energy supply. Bioethanol and biodiesel provide about 3% of the world\u2019s transportation fuels, but biofuels could provide up to 30 % by 2050 with projected improvements in technology. Bioenergy – developed knowledgeably and implemented considering local and regional needs \u2013 can also help, the report said.<\/p>\n

    The report contributors agreed that modern bioenergy \u201cwill be necessary to achieve a low-carbon future.\u201d They added that the idea that the large-scale use of bioenergy compromises efforts to meet these challenges is \u201cunsupported by the current scientific evidence when bioenergy practices are implemented properly.\u201d<\/p>\n

    The study suggested that bioenergy can improve energy security for over 1.3 billion people with no access to electricity, lift rural areas out of poverty, and ultimately \u201csecure a sustainable and equitable future” for both developing and developed nations.<\/p>\n

    \u201cThe resources and technologies for the transition from fossil to renewable energy are within our reach,\u201d the report said. However the authors warn that \u201cachieving the critical contributions needed from modern bioenergy call for political and individual will.”<\/p>\n

    The report found that land availability is not a limiting factor. Bioenergy can contribute to sustainable energy supplies even with increasing food demands, preservation of forests, protected lands, and rising urbanization. While it is projected that 50 to 200 million hectares would be needed to provide 10 to 20% of primary energy supply in 2050, available land that does not compromise the uses above is estimated to be at least 500 million hectares and possibly 900 million hectares if pasture intensification or water-scarce, marginal and degraded land is considered.<\/p>\n

    30% of global fuel supply could be biobased by 2050<\/h3>\n

    The report also outlines how:<\/p>\n