Table 5 Major identified risk perceptions for sustainability in different BE value chains based on the expert survey
Bioeconomy sector | Final product(s)/main technology pathway(s) | Main feedstock or feedstock group | Main sustainability risk(s) | Risk level / significance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Bioenergy | Biofuels (focus on biodiesel, bioethanol and biomethane) | Oilseed crops | LUC and ILUC | higha |
Starch and sugar crops | Deforestation | |||
Food price increase | ||||
Biodiversity loss (by expanding cultivation area and by intensification) | ||||
Water quality (leaching of nutrients) | ||||
Lignocellulosic energy crops | Deforestation | higha | ||
Biodiversity loss (by expanding crop cultivation areas) | ||||
Wastes and residues | Creation of competing uses due to the introduction of strong policy incentives. | low | ||
Heat & power | Lignocellulosic energy crops | Deforestation | medium to high | |
Heat (small scale units) | Lignocellulosic energy crops | Biodiversity loss (by expanding cultivation areas) | ||
Air quality | ||||
Forestry | Buildings and industrial applications | Timber | Illegal logging causing deforestation | high |
Biodiversity loss | ||||
Negative impacts on local communities (imported wood) | ||||
Paper and board | Labour conditions in producing countries | |||
Construction | Construction materials, fibreboards, thermal insulation | Timber | Illegal logging causing deforestation | low to mediumb |
Biodiversity loss | ||||
Non-certified import from other countries or poor certification processes | ||||
Negative impacts on local communities (at least on imported wood) | ||||
Fibre crops (hemp, flax) | Competition with food/feed production | low | ||
Food & Feed | Plant-based food & feed | Grains Rice | Biodiversity loss | high |
Soil erosion | ||||
Decrease in soil and water quality (nutrients leaching) | ||||
Impact of fertilisers and pesticides | ||||
Oilseed crops | LUC and ILUC causing deforestation | low to high | ||
Sugar crops | Land use rights | |||
Higher food prices | ||||
Textiles | Garments, fabric, carpets, geotextiles, etc. | Cotton | High input of energy, water and agrochemicals | high |
LUC and ILUC (cultivation) | ||||
Labour conditions in producing countries | ||||
Chemicals use and leakage (production) | ||||
Fibre crops (flax, hemp) | Competition with food/feed production | low | ||
Wool | Competition with food/feed production | low | ||
Labour conditions in producing countries | ||||
Chemicals and Plastics | Bioplastics, packaging materials, bottles, bags, mulch film, biolubricants, biopolymers | Starch and sugar crops | End of life & reuse | high |
Oilseed crops | Same as bioenergy | same as bioenergy | ||
Pharmacy | Medicine applications & pharmaceuticals | Plants | Chemical use and leakage (production) | medium |
Algae | ||||
Materials/ Products | Cardboard, filters, cords | Fibre crops (hemp, flax) | Competition with food/feed production | low |
Biocomposites | Lignocellulosic crops | Same as bioenergy | same as bioenergy |