Cited by 91Bioeconomy and Sustainability DevelopmentBiofuel production and bioconversionBioenergy crop production and management

Analyzing the contributions of biofuels, biomass, and bioenergy to sustainable development goals

Open access
Raman, Raghu, Sreenivasan, Aswathy, Kulkarni, Naveen V., Suresh, M., Nedungadi, Prema·2025·iScience

Abstract

Biofuels, biomass, and bioenergy are pivotal in transitioning to sustainable energy systems while addressing global energy demands and supporting the UN sustainable development goals (SDGs). This study synthesizes research on biofuels, from first-to fourth-generation technologies, highlighting their potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, enhance energy security, and foster economic growth. Using the PRISMA framework, machine learning-based SDG mapping and BERTopic modeling, the analysis identifies two thematic clusters: one focused on sustainable energy and climate resilience (SDGs 7, 12, and 13) and the other on socioeconomic development and equity (SDGs 1, 8, and 15). Topics such as bioeconomic development and supply chain optimization emphasize systemic innovation and process efficiency. The study underscores the role of policy, international collaboration, and emerging technologies like AI in advancing biofuel systems. Investments in infrastructure and capacity building are vital to aligning bioenergy development with global sustainability goals.

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  • Specific strategies employed to ensure a significantly lower carbon footprint for 4G biofuels compared to conventional fossil fuels include the selection of feedstocks engineered for efficient CO2 fixation, the direct utilization of captured atmospheric or industrial CO2, and the integration of renewable energy sources to power the production process.

    “Specific strategies employed to ensure a significantly lower carbon footprint compared to conventional fossil fuels include the selection of feedstocks engineered for efficient CO 2 fixation, the direct utilization of captured atmospheric or industrial CO 2 , and the integration of renewable energy sources to power the production process [171].”

    From Biofuels, E-Fuels, and Waste-Derived Fuels: Advances, Challenges, and Future Directions (2025) · cites this paper as [171]

    The Introduction (page unavailable) says fourth-generation biofuels use genetically modified microorganisms to minimize carbon emissions. The Discussion’s “Integration with renewable energy systems” section (page unavailable) recommends combining biofuels with other renewables, but does not say renewables power the production process. Neither passage establishes engineering feedstocks specifically for CO2 fixation or directly using captured atmospheric or industrial CO2. (LLM, conf=0.86)

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  • The primary motivation driving 4G biofuel development stems from the imperative to overcome the inherent limitations of previous generations, including the food versus fuel debate associated with first-generation and land/resource constraints potentially impacting second- and third-generation feedstocks while pursuing enhanced environmental and economic sustainability.

    “The primary motivation driving 4G biofuel development stems from the imperative to overcome the inherent limitations of previous generations, including the food versus fuel debate associated with first-generation and land/resource constraints potentially impacting second-and third-generation feedstocks while pursuing enhanced environmental and economic sustainability [171].”

    From Biofuels, E-Fuels, and Waste-Derived Fuels: Advances, Challenges, and Future Directions (2025) · cites this paper as [171]

    The Introduction (page not provided) links the evolution of later-generation biofuels to overcoming food-versus-fuel and land-and-water limitations, and describes 4G biofuels as a way to reduce emissions. It does not identify those limitations as the primary motivation for 4G development or specifically say that 3G feedstocks face land or resource constraints; it says algae do not require arable land and can use waste or saltwater. (LLM, conf=0.82)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • Achieving cost-competitiveness of advanced liquid biofuels relative to fossil fuels remains a key challenge influenced by processing costs and efficiency.

    “Advanced liquid biofuels may offer supplementary advantages, potentially including reduced pollutant emissions compared to fossil fuels [43], which is significant for mitigating the climate impact of the transportation sector, although achieving costcompetitiveness relative to fossil fuels remains a key challenge influenced by processing costs and efficiency [171,175].”

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Authors
Raman, R., Sreenivasan, A., Kulkarni, N. V., Suresh, M., & Nedungadi, P.
Affiliations
Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham (IN)
Venue
iScience
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2025-04
Volume
28
Issue
4
Pages
112157
ISSN
2589-0042 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W4408129646
Cited by
91
References
100
Citations by year
2026: 49 · 2025: 42
FWCI
159.51
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • iScience (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › General Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Bioeconomy and Sustainability Development
  • Physical Sciences › Engineering › Biomedical Engineering › Biofuel production and bioconversion
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Agronomy and Crop Science › Bioenergy crop production and management
Keywords
biofuels, biomass, bioenergy, Sustainable Development Goals, SDG mapping, greenhouse gas emissions reduction, energy security, supply chain optimization, climate resilience, socio-economic development, energy transition, bioenergy policy

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