Water demand for global bioenergy production: trends, risks and opportunities

Berndes, Göran

2008

978-3-9396191-21-9

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In its 2008 flagship report, the WBGU addresses the question of sustainable land-use and bioenergy use under changing climate conditions. Taking an analysis of global land-use under current and future climate impacts as a starting point, the report aims at finding out what opportunities and risks the global use of bioenergy entails. The goal of the report is to provide information and recommendations for decision-makers on the global sustainable potentials and risks in bioenergy use. The challenge will be to quantify the global niche that a sustainable use of bioenergy could occupy while meeting competing demands in terms of food security, conservation of biodiversity, and infrastructure development. This report intends to provide a readable global overview on the nexus between water availability and increasing bioenergy production and possible consequences for global bioenergy potentials. One basis for the analyses underlying the report is a number of lead questions provided by WBGU. The primary focus is the water situation in agriculture (i.e., the global food system). However, bioenergy systems based on forest biomass is included in order to account for the total biomass resource base. Furthermore, some of the assessed biomass supply systems qualify as forests and expansion of these therefore takes the form of afforestation/reforestation activities. The short report format makes it necessary to make the report concise and “straight to the point”, only summarizing background information and context. The reference list is intended to support further studies of the subject treated, in addition to supporting statements made. The report also includes suggestions on research that would advance the scientific knowledge in this field. [Preface]

Bioenergía; Recursos hídricos;