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Transitioning towards GHG neutrality: The role of bioeconomy

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The IPCC SR.1.5 report highlighted how crucial it has become to limit global mean surface temperature (GMST) to well below 2°C, by quantifying the enormous differences, in terms of impacts, between a stabilization at 1.5°C versus 2°C. To limit climate change well below 2°C, as stipulated in the Paris Agreement, a cut of global greenhouse gas emissions of ca. 25% is required within the decade, compared to 2018 levels. Such emission reduction implies a shift from fossil carbon use, and even from carbon itself. Although the energy sector can be decarbonized (i.e. electricity and activities indirectly affected by it such as heat and transport), other sectors like food & feed, materials or chemicals simply depend upon a carbon source and are thus harder to decarbonize. Without fossil carbon, biomass becomes the most accessible carbon source. Albeit renewable, biomass is however not unlimited in supply due to its dependence upon the land required to grow it. Its use in the low-fossil carbon economy roadmap thus requires careful planning, measures for recovering and re-circulating biogenic carbon, and a multi-sectorial vision to ensure its efficient and integrated use.

This special collection of Biotechnology for Biofuels presents articles in the area of bioeconomy towards an environmentally efficient transition to GHG neutrality. Work describing new technical solutions to efficiently use biogenic carbon in the food/feed, material, chemical, and/or fuel (for non-terrestrial transport in particular) sectors are encouraged. This also includes studies focusing on quantifying the environmental performance of such current/emerging technologies. Special consideration will be given to studies investigating the multi-sectorial integration of carbon-dependent products and services within case studies at the regional or national level.

This collection is now closed to new submissions.

Guest Editors: Lorie Hamelin (INSA-Toulouse, France) and Rebecca Hanes (NREL, USA)


  1. Woody biomass has been considered as a promising feedstock for biofuel production via thermochemical conversion technologies such as fast pyrolysis. Extensive Life Cycle Assessment studies have been completed ...

    Authors: Kai Lan, Longwen Ou, Sunkyu Park, Stephen S. Kelley, Prakash Nepal, Hoyoung Kwon, Hao Cai and Yuan Yao
    Citation: Biotechnology for Biofuels 2021 14:191
  2. Bio-hydrogen production via dark fermentation of low-value waste is a potent and simple mean of recovering energy, maximising the harvesting of reducing equivalents to produce the cleanest fuel amongst renewab...

    Authors: M. Arizzi, S. Morra, G. Gilardi, M. Pugliese, M. L. Gullino and F. Valetti
    Citation: Biotechnology for Biofuels 2021 14:182
  3. Microalgae-based high-density fuels offer an efficient and environmental pathway towards decarbonization of the transport sector and could be produced as part of a globally distributed network without competin...

    Authors: John Roles, Jennifer Yarnold, Karen Hussey and Ben Hankamer
    Citation: Biotechnology for Biofuels 2021 14:133
  4. Global issues such as environmental problems and food security are currently of concern to all of us. Circular bioeconomy is a promising approach towards resolving these global issues. The production of bioene...

    Authors: Hui Yi Leong, Chih-Kai Chang, Kuan Shiong Khoo, Kit Wayne Chew, Shir Reen Chia, Jun Wei Lim, Jo-Shu Chang and Pau Loke Show
    Citation: Biotechnology for Biofuels 2021 14:87
  5. Bioethanol from abundant and inexpensive agricultural and industrial wastes possesses the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Bioethanol as renewable fuel addresses elevated production costs, as well...

    Authors: Anita Ejiro Nwaefuna, Karl Rumbold, Teun Boekhout and Nerve Zhou
    Citation: Biotechnology for Biofuels 2021 14:86
  6. Products made from recycled organic materials are an important part of a circular economy, but the question is whether they will be adopted by the public. Such products can elicit strong emotional responses an...

    Authors: Madeline Judge, Olivia de Hoog, Goda Perlaviciute, Nadja Contzen and Linda Steg
    Citation: Biotechnology for Biofuels 2021 14:79
  7. Cumulative reported evidence has indicated that renewable feedstocks are a promising alternative source to fossil platforms for the production of fuels and chemicals. In that regard, the development of new, hi...

    Authors: Gabriel Orlando Ferrero, Edgar Maximiliano Sánchez Faba and Griselda Alejandra Eimer
    Citation: Biotechnology for Biofuels 2021 14:67
  8. The amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has been on the rise for more than a century. Bioenergy crops are seen by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change as an essential part of the solution to ad...

    Authors: Obste Therasme, Timothy A. Volk, Mark H. Eisenbies, Thomas E. Amidon and Marie-Odile Fortier
    Citation: Biotechnology for Biofuels 2021 14:52