Biogas Production from Organic Waste in the Forestry and Agricultural Context: Challenges and Solutions for a Sustainable Future

Luisa Patricia Uranga-Valencia, Sandra Pérez-Álvarez (), Rosalío Gabriel-Parra, Jesús Alicia Chávez-Medina, Marco Antonio Magallanes-Tapia, Esteban Sánchez-Chávez, Ezequiel Muñoz-Márquez, Samuel Alberto García-García, Joel Rascón-Solano and Luis Ubaldo Castruita-Esparza
Additional contact information
Luisa Patricia Uranga-Valencia: Facultad de Ciencias Agrícolas y Forestales, Universidad Autónoma de Chihuahua, Km 2.5 Carretera a Rosales, Campus Delicias, Delicias C.P. 33000, Chihuahua, Mexico
Sandra Pérez-Álvarez: Facultad de Ciencias Agrícolas y Forestales, Universidad Autónoma de Chihuahua, Km 2.5 Carretera a Rosales, Campus Delicias, Delicias C.P. 33000, Chihuahua, Mexico
Rosalío Gabriel-Parra: División de Estudios de Postgrado, Instituto de Estudios Ambientales, Universidad de la Sierra Juárez, Cam. a la Universidad S/N, Ixtlán de Juárez C.P. 68725, Oaxaca, Mexico
Jesús Alicia Chávez-Medina: Departamento de Biotecnología, Instituto Politécnico Nacional-CIIDIR Unidad Sinaloa, Juan de Dios Bátiz Paredes No. 250, Guasave C.P. 81101, Sinaloa, Mexico
Marco Antonio Magallanes-Tapia: Departamento de Biotecnología, Instituto Politécnico Nacional-CIIDIR Unidad Sinaloa, Juan de Dios Bátiz Paredes No. 250, Guasave C.P. 81101, Sinaloa, Mexico
Esteban Sánchez-Chávez: Centro de Investigación en Alimentación y Desarrollo AC, Unidad Delicias, Cd., Delicias C.P. 33089, Chihuahua, Mexico
Ezequiel Muñoz-Márquez: Centro de Investigación en Alimentación y Desarrollo AC, Unidad Delicias, Cd., Delicias C.P. 33089, Chihuahua, Mexico
Samuel Alberto García-García: Facultad de Ciencias Agrícolas y Forestales, Universidad Autónoma de Chihuahua, Km 2.5 Carretera a Rosales, Campus Delicias, Delicias C.P. 33000, Chihuahua, Mexico
Joel Rascón-Solano: Facultad de Ciencias Agrícolas y Forestales, Universidad Autónoma de Chihuahua, Km 2.5 Carretera a Rosales, Campus Delicias, Delicias C.P. 33000, Chihuahua, Mexico
Luis Ubaldo Castruita-Esparza: Facultad de Ciencias Agrícolas y Forestales, Universidad Autónoma de Chihuahua, Km 2.5 Carretera a Rosales, Campus Delicias, Delicias C.P. 33000, Chihuahua, Mexico

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 12, 1-23

Abstract: Biogas produced from agricultural and forestry waste is emerging as a strategic and multifunctional solution to address climate change, inefficient waste management, and the need for renewable energy by transforming large volumes of biomass. Global estimates indicate that approximately 1.3 billion tons of waste is produced each year for these sectors; this waste is processed through anaerobic digestion, allowing it to be transformed into energy and biofertilizers. This reduces greenhouse gas emissions by up to 90%, promotes rural development, improves biodiversity, and prevents environmental risks, such as forest fires. However, despite its high global technical potential, which is estimated at 8000 TWh per year, its use remains limited as a result of its high initial costs, low efficiency in relation to lignocellulosic waste, and weak regulatory frameworks, especially in countries like Mexico, which use less than 5% of their available biomass. In response, emerging technologies, such as co-digestion with microalgae, integrated biorefineries, and artificial intelligence tools, are opening up new avenues for overcoming these barriers under a comprehensive approach that combines science, technology, and community participation. Therefore, biogas is positioned as a key pillar for a circular, fair, and resilient bioeconomy, promoting energy security and advancing toward a just and environmentally responsible future.

Keywords: anaerobic digestion; waste collection and transportation; environmental health (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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