npj Science of Food (May 2021)

Systematic review on effects of bioenergy from edible versus inedible feedstocks on food security

  • Selena Ahmed,
  • Teresa Warne,
  • Erin Smith,
  • Hannah Goemann,
  • Greta Linse,
  • Mark Greenwood,
  • Jeremy Kedziora,
  • Meghan Sapp,
  • Debra Kraner,
  • Kelli Roemer,
  • Julia H. Haggerty,
  • Meghann Jarchow,
  • David Swanson,
  • Benjamin Poulter,
  • Paul C. Stoy

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41538-021-00091-6
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 5, no. 1
pp. 1 – 14

Abstract

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Abstract Achieving food security is a critical challenge of the Anthropocene that may conflict with environmental and societal goals such as increased energy access. The “fuel versus food” debate coupled with climate mitigation efforts has given rise to next-generation biofuels. Findings of this systematic review indicate just over half of the studies (56% of 224 publications) reported a negative impact of bioenergy production on food security. However, no relationship was found between bioenergy feedstocks that are edible versus inedible and food security (P value = 0.15). A strong relationship was found between bioenergy and type of food security parameter (P value < 0.001), sociodemographic index of study location (P value = 0.001), spatial scale (P value < 0.001), and temporal scale (P value = 0.017). Programs and policies focused on bioenergy and climate mitigation should monitor multiple food security parameters at various scales over the long term toward achieving diverse sustainability goals.