Biogenic CO2 Emissions in the EU Biofuel and Bioenergy Sector: Mapping Sources, Regional Trends, and Pathways for Capture and Utilisation
Diogenis Christianides, Dimitra Antonia Bagaki, R.A. Timmers, Maja Berden Zrimec, Anastasia Theodoropoulou, İrini Angelidaki, Panagiotis Kougias, Guido Zampieri, Najla Kamergi, Alfredo Napoli, Dimitris Malamis, Sofia Mai, Elli Maria Barampouti
Abstract
The European biofuel and bioenergy industry faces increasing challenges in achieving sustainable energy production while meeting carbon neutrality targets. This study provides a detailed analysis of biogenic emissions from biofuel and bioenergy production, with a focus on key sectors such as biogas, biomethane, bioethanol, syngas, biomass combustion, and biomass pyrolysis. Over 18,000 facilities were examined, including their feedstocks, production processes, and associated greenhouse gas emissions. The results highlight forestry residues as the predominant feedstock and expose significant disparities in infrastructure and technology adoption across EU Member States. While countries like Sweden and Germany lead in emissions management and carbon capture through bioenergy production with carbon capture and storage systems (BECCS), other regions face deficiencies in bioenergy infrastructure. The findings underscore the potential of BECCS and similar carbon management technologies to achieve negative emissions and support the European Green Deal’s climate neutrality goals. This work serves as a resource for policymakers, industry leaders, and researchers, fostering informed strategies for the sustainable advancement of the biofuels sector.