Ivan Camilo Vera Concha examined the sustainability assessments of existing and new bio-based value chains in bio-based materials, electricity and advanced fuels, under context-specific conditions. He notes that the impact it has on land use is particularly important in the assessment. He received his PhD from Utrecht University on Friday 8 July.
Biomass for the production of bioenergy is seen as an important strategy to achieve climate objectives, prevent negative effects of climate change and contribute to the transition to a sustainable energy system. In addition, biomass-derived products are expected to reduce dependence on fossil fuels in other sectors. Despite the potential benefits of bio-based value chains, there are sustainability risks associated with biomass production, particularly around land use change and supply chain composition.
Ivan Camilo Vera Concha examined the sustainability assessments of existing and new bio-based value chains in bio-based materials, electricity and advanced fuels under various conditions. He developed a new framework that makes it possible to combine spatial data on land use changes, biophysical characteristics and other specific conditions to determine sustainability impacts at different regional or national scales.
The researchers note that the biomass potential and sustainability effects of bio-based value chains depend on specific circumstances and are largely determined by land use change. He concludes that to minimize sustainability trade-offs it is important to take context-specific conditions into account, prioritizing changes in land use and the type of raw material. Furthermore, the developed framework is an important step forward in understanding and assessing the sustainability impacts of other stages in bio-based value chains.
Source: AgriHolland.nl
