29. The Role of Biotechnology in Energy and Environment

The replacement of fossil fuels with more carbon-neutral and renewable sources has become a key necessity of the time. The proposition that energy can be obtained from biomass with a decisively positive energy balance and at a scale sufficiently large to have a substantial impact on sustainability and security objectives is both supported by several recent studies. Developing a sustainable economy more extensively based on renewable carbon and eco-efficient bioprocesses is one of the key strategic challenges for the twenty-first century. First-generation biofuel production has increased significantly since 2000. However, the potential social, economic and environmental impacts of biofuels have been the subject of considerable controversy. The way to avoid the negative effects of producing biofuels from food supplies is to make lingo-cellulosic-derived fuels available within the shortest possible time. Second-generation biofuels is one strong option to ensure diversification in energy supply and sustainability. These are not yet produced commercially, but a considerable number of pilot and demonstration plants have been set up in recent years. This is because the manpower, investment, innovation and technology deployment are required on a vastly larger scale. A comprehensive approach involving plant breeders, agronomists, bioprocess engineers, biotechnologists and microbiologists is needed. Biotechnological approaches are likely the most powerful approach available to address the dual challenges of biomass recalcitrance and large-scale sustainable production.