Linking bioenergy production by agricultural residues to sustainable development goals: Prospects by 2030 in China

Large-scale bioenergy production utilizing agricultural residues (ARs) in multi-paths has potential energy, environmental, economic and social (EEES) impacts. If, how and to what extent these impacts integratively bring sustainability contributions at regional scale remains to be explored. Herein, the EEES impacts quantified based upon a multi-resource-technology-output life cycle framework are reflected as 17 indicators, and linked to the sustainable development goals (SDGs) and their sub-goals to explore the sustainability contributions and trade-offs in 31 Chinese provincial regions by 2030 in three scenarios of ARs availability. Results indicate that the ARs can contribute to 1.86 billion GJ net energy output and 32.1 billion yuan net profit by 2030 in the complete scenario with the highest ARs availability. Attributed to open burning avoidance and fossil energy offset, there are mitigation effects on 11 out of 13 life cycle environmental impact categories, however intensification effects on Freshwater eutrophication and Marine eutrophication. Regional sustainability score closely depends on ARs availability, while does not strictly parallel it. The ARs-abundant regions, such as Heilongjiang, Henan and Jilin, benefit outstandingly from bioenergy production to enhance regional sustainability (especially on SDG1, SDG7 and SDG13). The findings can provide decision-makers with references to soundly boosting agricultural bio-energy development to consolidate regional sustainability.

Automated summary

Large-scale bioenergy production using agricultural residues has potential impacts on energy, environment, economy and society. This study quantifies and analyzes these impacts in 31 Chinese regions by 2030. Results show significant potential for net energy output and net profit, as well as positive effects on environmental impacts, although there are trade-offs in certain areas. Regional sustainability score depends on the availability of agricultural residues, with some regions benefiting more than others. The findings can guide decision-makers in promoting agricultural bio-energy development for regional sustainability.