Bioenergy

1.3 billion people have no electricity and 2.7 billion people do not have clean and safe access to energy for cooking. This means that around 40% of the world’s population breathe in toxic smoke created when burning charcoal, wood, coal or animal waste to cook their food.

Every month we highlight a new, groundbreaking or bestselling IIED research outcome. This month we look at the uncertain future of bioenergy.

The promise of clean, renewable energy makes it a tempting choice but the real costs and benefits are not so simple to calculate. As some talk about a global energy revolution, whilst others start pointing to land grabs, food security issues and a dangerous offsetting tendency in the global North, IIED have started looking into the urgent and critical questions surrounding the debate.