ZEF initiates new research project on bioenergy

Sustainable development will strongly depend on secure and safe availability of food, water, energy, (called nexus) and industrial raw materials, which are increasingly to be based on renewable resources. Here, the need is to make better use of biomass with new technologies, i.e. a leapfrogging into a knowledge-based bioeconomy for wide-scale application of bioenergy innovations in diversifying the global energy balance, mitigating the climate change and speeding up the transition from polluting fossil-based economy to a cleaner and more efficient alternatives.

Bio-economic competitiveness

Long-term price expectations determine the competitiveness of the bioeconomy and its various sectors. Markets are sending clear signals about the increasing competitiveness and demand for outputs of bio-economic production. For instance, food prices have been on the rise in the past decade. Prices of raw materials are also increasing, driving the prices for energy and food higher, with subsequent “domino effects” on rising land and water prices.

Connected food and energy prices

A parallel and connected development, increasing energy use in agriculture and emergence of biofuels in the past decade, has closely tied together food and energy prices. Bioeconomy is also characterized by complex externalities – both positive and negative which should be fully considered. In this rapidly evolving context, the fundamental challenge is to frame the reliance on biomass without undermining the long-term productivity of agriculture and other ecosystems, and also through providing opportunities for achieving win–win outcomes in terms of economic development, energy security and food security for the poor.

Science-based policy support

The main objective of this project is to provide evidence-based analytical support for national and international policies promoting technological and institutional innovations in the bio-economy, especially in developing countries. The project will conduct NEXUS research activities at two levels: global and local in case study countries.

Research activities

The project is constructed around the following specific activities:

1. Conducting the global and national level analysis of opportunities for catalyzing technological, institutional and policy innovations in the bio-economy relying on recycling and more efficient use of limited natural resources and on increased use of renewable resources, including for bio-energy, with the ultimate aims of enhancing food security and reducing poverty.

2. Evaluate the inter-sectoral impacts of new technologies based on biomass and renewable resources on the entire economies (growth, distribution, employment), as well as spillover effects in a trans-disciplinary Nexus approach for synergizing the multi-dimensional aspects of bioenergy, their inter-linkages and feedback mechanisms with other bioeconomic and economic sectors, with a special emphasis on ensuring the food security and improved livelihoods for the poor.

3. Identify the policy instruments, governance and institutional structures for stimulating the innovations in the new uses of biomass and for encouraging the related increases in energy use efficiencies.