Open AccessPlant Power: Opportunities and challenges for meeting sustainable energy needs from the plant and fungal kingdoms
Author(s) -
Grace Olwen M.,
Lovett Jon C.,
Gore Charles J. N.,
Moat Justin,
Ondo Ian,
Piro Samuel,
Langat Moses K.,
PérezEscobar Oscar A.,
Ross Andrew,
Suzan Abbo Mary,
Shrestha Krishna K.,
Gowda Balakrishna,
Farrar Kerrie,
Adams Jessica,
CámaraLeret Rodrigo,
Diazgranados Mauricio,
Ulian Tiziana,
Sagala Saut,
Rianawati Elisabeth,
Hazra Amit,
Masera Omar R.,
Antonelli Alexandre,
Wilkin Paul
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
plants, people, planet
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2572-2611
DOI - 10.1002/ppp3.10147
Subject(s) - renewable energy , natural resource economics , business , climate change mitigation , bioenergy , greenhouse gas , environmental resource management , environmental protection , environmental science , ecology , biology , economics
Bioenergy is a major component of the global transition to renewable energy technologies. The plant and fungal kingdoms offer great potential but remain mostly untapped. Their increased use could contribute to the renewable energy transition and addressing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 7 “Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all.” Current research focuses on species cultivated at scale in temperate regions, overlooking the wealth of potential new sources of small‐scale energy where they are most urgently needed. A shift towards diversified, accessible bioenergy technologies will help to mitigate and adapt to the threats of climate change, decrease energy poverty, improve human health by reducing indoor pollution, increase energy resilience of communities, and decrease greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels.