Interactions among bioenergy, food security and ecosystem services

This presentation puts an expanding bio-based economy into the context of integrated food-energy-ecosystem servicing systems. The presentation reviews how bioenergy can and often does contribute to improving food security, reducing reliance on fossil fuels, and achieving multiple United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (Figure). Bioenergy and improved land management are fundamental components in every strategy that aims to reduce climate forcing from fossil fuels. This presentation shares conclusions from an international, multi-disciplinary team (Acknowledgments) about how to develop a bioeconomy in a manner that supports greater food security and resilience in times of crisis. The presentation includes recommendations to address the energy-food-climate-ecosystem challenges by: (1) engaging local stakeholders to design projects that effectively meet their needs, (2) identifying and encouraging flex-crops and strategies that add value and jobs while diversifying and stabilizing local markets, (3) applying good management practices and tools such as those provided by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO BEFS), (4) planning and implementing multiple-use landscapes that improve system efficiency and minimize waste, (5) communicating science-based analyses that address social priorities, and (6) strengthening collaborations.

Acknowledgements: Siwa Msangi, International Food and Policy Research Institute, Washington D.C.; Glaucia M. Souza, University of São Paulo, Brazil; Virginia H. Dale, Center for Bioenergy Sustainability, USA; Jeremy Woods, Imperial College London, UK; Patricia Osseweijer, Delft University of Technology and Joy S. Clancy, University of Twente, Netherlands; Jorge Antonio Hilbert, INTA, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Harriet K. Mugera, World Bank, Italy; Patrick C. McDonnell, Bee Energy, Mexico; Francis X. Johnson, World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) Nairobi Kenya.