The UK and EU have pledged to increase the utilisation of biomass in the energy sector, for both heat and power generation, and liquid transport fuels, with the aim of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and helping to achieve reduction targets. It is therefore necessary to critically assess complete bioenergy production chains to:
In order to fulfil these objectives, this study has reviewed hundreds of life cycle assessments (LCAs) relevant to the UK. Studies covered a range of bioenergy production systems within the sector, including seven broad methods of liquid transport fuel production and four sources of feedstock for heat and power production from biomass. These include bioenergy chains which are currently used commercially within the UK as well as those in R&D stages.