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)
