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BioEnergy
Bioenergy is the most widely used form of renewable energy in the world. Used in every country for centuries, bioenergy currently provides over 15% of the world's energy supply.
Bioenergy is derived by harnessing the energy flows gathered by nature's solar collectors. It is this natural storage capacity of organic life that differentiates bioenergy from other types of renewable energy.
Powering Cleaner Transport
New technological advances are providing an increasingly wide range of environmentally sound and cost-competitive renewable energy options. Bioenergy derived fuels, or biofuels, are compatible with most existing energy systems, making them exceptional substitutes for existing transport fuels.
The similarity between fossil fuels, today's dominant energy source, and biofuels comes from the fact that fossil fuels are hydrocarbons formed during the fossilization of carbohydrates in biomass. As compared to fossil fuels, biofuels significantly reduce or eliminate nearly all forms of air pollution: from air toxics like carbon monoxide to particulates and hydrocarbons that cause respiratory illnesses and cancer, to sulfur that causes acid rain.
Empowering Communities and Re-Energizing the Environment
Bioenergy can provide millions of households with incomes, livelihood activities and employment. Employment opportunities are created in growing and harvesting biomass, transport, handling, and processing operations. Local farmers have the ability to improve returns as marginal crops become viable as bioenergy feedstock. Several energy crops can be cultivated on degraded or marginal land with the added benefit of preventing erosion, restoring nutrients to depleted soil and arresting desertification.
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