ABSTRACT
This chapter gives perspectives of the sources, availability, and production of biomass globally. The role of biomass in the replacement of fossil fuel is reminded as a key strategy against climate change. A classification of the different sources of biomass for energy and biobased products is presented, covering agriculture, forestry, marine, and organic waste. The efficient use of the biomass is key, considering sustainability principles, zero-waste biorefinery, the waste hierarchy, the cascading principles, the circular bioeconomy model, and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. The European Union (EU) bioeconomy strategy is presented with a description of its five goals. What makes the bioeconomy different from other economies is its ability to generate jobs and create wealth while at the same time guaranteeing the sustainability and renewability of biomass. Sustainable strategies ensure an effective convergence and synergy between the bioeconomy, Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), circular economy initiatives, and the EU Green Deal. To facilitate the achievement of SDGs and objectives of the circular biobased economies, a wide range of stakeholders should identify several independent Bioeconomy Development Goals.
