Biorefineries as the base for accomplishing the sustainable development goals (SDGs) and the transition to bioeconomy: Technical aspects, challenges and perspectives

Bioresour Technol. 2021 Nov:340:125626. doi: 10.1016/j.biortech.2021.125626. Epub 2021 Jul 22.

Abstract

Sustainable development goals (SDGs) are guidelines to improve the socio-economic and environmental worldwide situation caused by excessive fossil fuel use. These goals must be accomplished before 2030 by implementing a national sustainable development framework in all UN country members. Instead, biorefineries are the seed towards a more sustainable world since biomass upgrading into a series of value-added products and energy vectors can reduce current issues related to waste generation and climate change. Besides, biorefineries are the first step on the way to implement a bioeconomy. This review paper aims to elucidate the existing relation between biorefineries, bioeconomy, and the SDGs through a comprehensive analysis of the technical requirements, challenges, and perspectives of biomass upgrading processes. In this way, this review paper includes a discussion about the biorefinery, bioeconomy, sustainable development, and sustainability concepts. Moreover, this paper elucidates how the implementation of biorefineries is linked to the SDGs accomplishment.

Keywords: Bioeconomy; Biorefineries; Sustainability; Sustainable Development Goals.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Biomass
  • Fossil Fuels
  • Goals*
  • Sustainable Development*

Substances

  • Fossil Fuels