Biogenic CO 2 Emissions in the EU Biofuel and Bioenergy Sector: Mapping Sources, Regional Trends, and Pathways for Capture and Utilisation

Diogenis Christianides, Dimitra Antonia Bagaki, Rudolphus Antonius Timmers, Maja Berden Zrimec, Anastasia Theodoropoulou, Irini Angelidaki, Panagiotis Kougias, Guido Zampieri, Najla Kamergi, Alfredo Napoli, Dimitris Malamis, Sofia Mai and Elli Maria Barampouti ()
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Diogenis Christianides: Unit of Environmental Science & Technology, School of Chemical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, Zographou Campus, 9 Iroon Polytechniou Str., 15780 Athens, Greece
Dimitra Antonia Bagaki: Unit of Environmental Science & Technology, School of Chemical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, Zographou Campus, 9 Iroon Polytechniou Str., 15780 Athens, Greece
Rudolphus Antonius Timmers: Agrifood & Processes Division, Area Circular Economy, CARTIF Technology Centre, 47151 Boecillo, Spain
Maja Berden Zrimec: Algen, Algal Technology Centre, LLC, Brnciceva 29, SI-1231 Ljubljana, Slovenia
Anastasia Theodoropoulou: Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Imperial College London, London SW7 2BU, UK
Irini Angelidaki: Department of Chemical Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Søltofts Plads 228A, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
Panagiotis Kougias: Soil and Water Resources Institute, Hellenic Agricultural Organisation Dimitra, Thermi, 57001 Thessaloniki, Greece
Guido Zampieri: Department of Biology, University of Padova, Via U. Bassi 58/b, 35121 Padova, Italy
Najla Kamergi: Technical Unit of the Euro-Mediterranean Information System on Know-How in the Water Sector, BP23, 06901 Sophia Antipolis, France
Alfredo Napoli: Department PERSYST—Performance of Tropical Production and Processing Systems, CIRAD—French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development, Research Unit BioWooEB, 34398 Montpellier, France
Dimitris Malamis: Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, College of Engineering, Design & Physical Sciences, Brunel University of London, London UB8 3PH, UK
Sofia Mai: Unit of Environmental Science & Technology, School of Chemical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, Zographou Campus, 9 Iroon Polytechniou Str., 15780 Athens, Greece
Elli Maria Barampouti: Unit of Environmental Science & Technology, School of Chemical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, Zographou Campus, 9 Iroon Polytechniou Str., 15780 Athens, Greece

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 6, 1-26

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.

Keywords: biogenic gases database; biofuels; bioenergy; carbon capture; utilisation and storage; syngas; biomass combustion; bioethanol; biogas; biochar (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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