Development of markets for modern bioenergy provides opportunities for climate and environmental policy, security of energy supply, and rural and economic development. It also poses risks due to competing issues in using land to grow crops for food and in conversion of natural or semi-natural landscapes. The aim of this book is to map routes of sustainable bioenergy use and to provide guidance for policy makers to develop a framework for sustainable use of biomass for energy.

The book builds on a special report by the German Advisory Council on Global Change (WBGU). It examines, in detail, the issues surrounding bioenergy from a global perspective and depicts differing motives of industrial, newly industrializing and developing countries in connection with use of biomass for energy. More than 60 bioenergy pathways are assessed, including traditional biomass use, biogenic wastes, and residues and energy crops, in terms of their contribution to global shift towards sustainable energy systems.

A comprehensive summary for policy makers is provided at the start of the book (in the preamble), but is not mentioned in the Contents so could be missed. Policy recommendations given are aspirational and laudable, but a slight criticism is that this chapter could be improved by more fully taking into account the reality of current market structures and technical maturity of various bioenergy processes.

In conclusion, the book provides an excellent resource for those working in this area and for students of environmental technology, in addition to providing thought-provoking material for policy makers.