Integrating bioenergy into a green economy: identifying opportunities and constraints

Abstract

Bioenergy is a renewable energy option that has the potential to contribute to a low-carbon development path and stimulate a green economy. However, since bioenergy uses land and natural resources, it is in competition with the valuable bio-based products that can be produced from biomass. These complex opportunities and constraints create difficult and complex decision-making that requires integrated approaches to limit trade-offs and support a sustainable development path. The CSIR has developed an analytical framework and decision-support tools to assist in assessing, managing and monitoring the sustainability of bioenergy.