Optimizing the role of planted forests in the bioeconomy
The concept of a biobased economy has emerged in response to growing societal concerns about sustainable resource use, aiming to reduce reliance on fossil-based and non-renewable materials while minimizing environmental impacts. Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from material production have surged from 5 gigatonnes of CO₂-equivalent (GtCO₂-eq) in 1995 to 11.5 GtCO₂-eq in 2015, accounting for 23% of global GHG emissions. In contrast, the global harvested wood products pool served as a net carbon sink of 335 million tonnes CO₂-equivalent (MtCO₂-eq) in 2015. Driven by population and economic growth, raw material consumption is expected to rise by 88%—from 89 gigatonnes in 2017 to 167 gigatonnes by 2060—while biomass demand will increase by 68%, primarily for wood rather than food and feed. However, shifting demand toward bioproducts alone is insufficient; sustainable production and sourcing of biomass must also be prioritized to ensure a truly sustainable bioeconomy. Future biomass production must align with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) targets to halt deforestation, reverse land degradation, and protect primary ecosystems by 2030.
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Authors
Gitz, V.,Linhares-Juvenal, T.,Meybeck, A.
Publication year
2023
