The use of fossil fuels results in rising CO2 and other greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, causing global temperature rise and climate change that will negatively impact human health, the food supply, and eventually worsen hunger and misery. Presently, fossil fuels meet 88% of the energy demand, resulting in rising CO2/GHG emissions at alarming rates. The increased use of biofuels would help to mitigate climate change. Efficiently designing methods for the production of biofuels and plant-derived high-value products requires a deeper understanding of photosynthetic processes as a prerequisite for applying novel biotechnologies. Accordingly, this book provides ample information and a wealth of illustrative examples. The book’s eighteen richly illustrated chapters are divided into three thematic parts. I: Photosynthesis and Biomass Production under Changing Conditions, II: Microalgae and Engineered Crops for Production of Biofuels and High-value Products, and III: Genetic Resources and Engineering Methods to Improve Crop Plants. Readers will find the latest information on the molecular basis of photosynthetic processes in plants (including the regulatory principles that allow plants to maintain homeostasis under changing conditions), stress resistance and synthetic pathways. In addition, the basic principles of important biotechnologies, as well as examples of specially designed crops capable of growing under stress conditions with improved productivity, are presented. The book sets the course for future research in the field of biofuel development and production and provides both general and specific information for students, teachers, academic researchers, industrial teams, and general readers who are interested in new developments concerning the production of biofuels with value-added properties.

This open access book presents a comprehensive analysis of biofuel use strategies from an interdisciplinary perspective using sustainability science. This interdisciplinary perspective (social science-natural science) means that the strategies and policy options proposed will have significant impacts on the economy and society alike. Biofuels are expected to contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, revitalizing economies in agricultural communities and alleviating poverty. However, despite these anticipated benefits, international organizations such as the FAO, OECD and UN have published reports expressing concerns that biofuel promotion may lead to deforestation, water pollution and water shortages. The impacts of biofuel use are extensive, cross-sectoral and complex, and as such, comprehensive analyses are required in order to assess the extent to which biofuels can contribute to sustainable societies. Applying interdisciplinary sustainability science concepts and methodologies, the book helps to enhance the establishment of a sustainable society as well as the development of appropriate responses to a global need for urgent action on current issues related to biofuels.

Advanced Biofuel Technologies: Present Status, Challenges and Future Prospects deals with important issues such as feed stock availability, technology options, greenhouse gas reduction as seen by life cycle assessment studies, regulations and policies. This book provides readers complete information on the current state of developments in both thermochemical and biochemical processes for advanced biofuels production for the purpose of transportation, domestic and industrial applications. Chapters explore technological innovations in advanced biofuels produced from agricultural residues, algae, lipids and waste industrial gases to produce road transport fuels, biojet fuel and biogas. - Covers technologies and processes of different types of biofuel production - Outlines a selection of different types of renewable feedstocks for biofuel production - Summarizes adequate and balanced coverage of thermochemical and biochemical methods of biomass conversion into biofuel - Includes regulations, policies and lifecycle and techno-economic assessments

The book has 2 sections; Section A focuses on Environmental Sustainability and Green Technology and Section B covers Emerging Technologies in Environmental Biotechnology. The book introduces Environmental biotechnology as a tool to progress towards sustainable development goals and covers green technologies such as Bio-plastics, Third generation hybrid technology for algal biomass production, wastewater treatment and greenhouse gas mitigation, Green vaccination, Bio-fuels, Microbial enzymes, Bioelectrical systems, eco-friendly handmade paper production, nature based sanitation solutions, and greener ways to tackle air pollution along with the application of GIS to monitor & manage COVDI19 pandemic. The Section B covers emerging & innovative technologies such as vermifiltration, Small scale PVA gel based innovative solution for wastewater treatment, Cyclic technology based sequencing batch reactors (SBR) and role of Role of Bio-selectors in Performing Simultaneous Nitrification and Denitrification in SBR’s. It holistically covers essential information on Enzymatic Biotransformation and Biopolymer based nanocomposites for dye waste treatment, Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi assisted Bioremediation of heavy metals, Coir Retting and Duckweeds: The Tiny Creatures for Resolving the Major Environmental Issues. It is a promising book for researchers, academicians, teachers, students, industrial enterprises, policy makers, public health officials and general users. The book is closely aligned to curricula of post graduate courses in biotechnology, microbiology, environmental biotechnology and environmental science.

This edited book focuses on the application and implementation of bioremediation and other strategies to create a sustainable and healthy environment. It provides a collection of approaches to environmental biotechnology for wastewater treatment, removal of soil heavy metals, degradation of pesticides, removal of dyes, waste management, and microbial conversion of environmental pollutants. This book brings to the fore contributions of certain globally important environmental biotechnologist. Bioremediation is a popular branch of biotechnology that involves the use of living organisms such as microorganisms (microbial remediation), bacteria, fungus (mycoremediation), and plants (phytoremediation) to bind, extract, and clean up contaminants, pollutants, and toxins from soil, groundwater, and other environments. This book is of interest to researchers, scientists, and academic faculty in environmental sciences. Also, it serves as additional reading and reference material for undergraduate and graduate students as well as postdocs in environmental, agriculture, ecology, and soil sciences. National and International policy makers will also find valuable information from this book.

To achieve goals for climate and economic growth, "negative emissions technologies" (NETs) that remove and sequester carbon dioxide from the air will need to play a significant role in mitigating climate change. Unlike carbon capture and storage technologies that remove carbon dioxide emissions directly from large point sources such as coal power plants, NETs remove carbon dioxide directly from the atmosphere or enhance natural carbon sinks. Storing the carbon dioxide from NETs has the same impact on the atmosphere and climate as simultaneously preventing an equal amount of carbon dioxide from being emitted. Recent analyses found that deploying NETs may be less expensive and less disruptive than reducing some emissions, such as a substantial portion of agricultural and land-use emissions and some transportation emissions. In 2015, the National Academies published Climate Intervention: Carbon Dioxide Removal and Reliable Sequestration, which described and initially assessed NETs and sequestration technologies. This report acknowledged the relative paucity of research on NETs and recommended development of a research agenda that covers all aspects of NETs from fundamental science to full-scale deployment. To address this need, Negative Emissions Technologies and Reliable Sequestration: A Research Agenda assesses the benefits, risks, and "sustainable scale potential" for NETs and sequestration. This report also defines the essential components of a research and development program, including its estimated costs and potential impact.

Bioenergy Crops: A Sustainable Means of Phytoremediation comprises a unique combination of topics related to the field of phytoremediation and bioenergy production. It highlights the future face of industries in phytoremediation and bioenergy production. The book deals with most promising plant and alga species for biomass production and phytoremediation. It deals with constructed wetlands, bioremediation and microbial fuel cells with case studies of phytoremediation and bioenergy production. The comprehensive knowledge on the dual aspects of hyperaccumulators in phytoremediation and bioenergy production guides graduates, post-graduates as well as researchers to know the latest updates in the field. Key Features: • Presents dual aspects of hyperaccumulators in phytoremediation and bioenergy production. • Highlights the future face of industries in phytoremediation and bioenergy production. • Focuses the promising candidates exploits as hyperaccumulator and biomass producers. • Explains the role of algae and microbes in bioremediation and bioenergy production. • Represents a comprehensive, up-to-date analysis in the field of phytoremediation as well as bioenergy production.

This proceedings volume represents the culmination of nearly three years of planning, organizing and carrying out of a NATO Ad vanced Study Institute on Biomass Utilization. The effort was initi ated by Dr. Harry Sobel, then Editor of Biosources Digest, and a steering committee representing the many disciplines that this field brings together. . When the fiscal and logistical details of the original plan could not be worked out, the idea was temporarily suspended. In the spring of 1982, the Renewable Materials Institute of the State University of New York at the College of Environmental Science and Forestry in Syracuse, New York revived the plan. A number of modifications had to be made, including the venue which was changed from the U.S.A. to Portugal. Additional funding beyond the basic support provided by the Scientific Affairs Division of NATO had to be obtained. Ul timately there were supplementary grants from the Foundation for Microbiology and the Anne S. Richardson Fund to assist student participants. The New York State College of Forestry Foundation, Inc. provided major support through the Renewable Ma terials Institute. The ASI was held in Alcabideche, Portugal from September 26 to October 9, 1982. Eighty participants including fifteen principal lecturers were assembled at the Hotel Sintra Estoril for the program that was organized as a comprehensive course on biomass utilization. The main lectures were supplemented by relevant short papers offered by the participants.

Greenhouse Gases Balance of Bioenergy Systems covers every stage of a bioenergy system, from establishment to energy delivery, presenting a comprehensive, multidisciplinary overview of all the relevant issues and environmental risks. It also provides an understanding of how these can be practically managed to deliver sustainable greenhouse gas reductions. Its expert chapter authors present readers to the methods used to determine the greenhouse gas balance of bioenergy systems, the data required and the significance of the results obtained. It also provides in-depth discussion of key issues and uncertainties, such as soil, agriculture, forestry, fuel conversion and emissions formation. Finally, international case studies examine typical GHG reduction levels for different systems and highlight best practices for bioenergy GHG mitigation. For bringing together into one volume information from several different fields that was up until now scattered throughout many different sources, this book is ideal for researchers, graduate students and professionals coming into the bioenergy field, no matter their previous background. It will be particularly useful for bioenergy researchers seeking to calculate greenhouse gas balances for systems they are studying. I will also be an important resource for policy makers and energy analysts. - Uses a multidisciplinary approach to synthesize the diverse information that is required to competently execute GHG balances for bioenergy systems - Presents an in-depth understanding of the science underpinning key issues and uncertainty in GHG assessments of bioenergy systems - Includes case studies that examine ways to maximize the GHG reductions delivered by different bioenergy systems

Biofuels for a More Sustainable Future: Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment and Multi-criteria Decision Making provides a comprehensive sustainability analysis of biofuels based on life cycle thinking and develops various multi-dimensional decision-making techniques for prioritizing biofuel production technologies. Taking a transversal approach, the book combines life cycle sustainability assessment, life cycle assessment, life cycle costing analysis, social life cycle assessment, sustainability metrics, triple bottom line, operations research methods, and supply chain design for investigating the critical factors and key enablers that influence the sustainable development of biofuel industry. This book will equip researchers and policymakers in the energy sector with the scientific methodology and metrics needed to develop strategies for viable sustainability transition. It will be a key resource for students, researchers and practitioners seeking to deepen their knowledge on energy planning and current and future trends of biofuel as an alternative fuel. - Provides an innovative approach to promoting sustainable development in biofuel production by linking supply chain design and decision support with the life cycle perspective - Features case studies and examples that illustrate the theory and methods developed - Includes material on corporate social responsibility and economic analysis of biofuels that is highly useful to policy-makers and administrators in both government and enterprise sectors