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CUDe —Carbon Utilization Degree as an Indicator for Sustainable Biomass Use

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  • Anja Hansen

    (Leibniz Institute for Agricultural Engineering and Bioeconomy (ATB), Max–Eyth–Allee 100, 14469 Potsdam, Germany
    Faculty of Life Sciences, Humboldt–Universität zu Berlin, Invalidenstraße 42, 10115 Berlin, Germany)

  • Jörn Budde

    (Leibniz Institute for Agricultural Engineering and Bioeconomy (ATB), Max–Eyth–Allee 100, 14469 Potsdam, Germany)

  • Yusuf Nadi Karatay

    (Leibniz Institute for Agricultural Engineering and Bioeconomy (ATB), Max–Eyth–Allee 100, 14469 Potsdam, Germany
    Faculty of Life Sciences, Humboldt–Universität zu Berlin, Invalidenstraße 42, 10115 Berlin, Germany)

  • Annette Prochnow

    (Leibniz Institute for Agricultural Engineering and Bioeconomy (ATB), Max–Eyth–Allee 100, 14469 Potsdam, Germany
    Faculty of Life Sciences, Humboldt–Universität zu Berlin, Invalidenstraße 42, 10115 Berlin, Germany)

Abstract

Carbon (C) is a central element in organic compounds and is an indispensable resource for life. It is also an essential production factor in bio-based economies, where biomass serves many purposes, including energy generation and material production. Biomass conversion is a common case of transformation between different carbon-containing compounds. At each transformation step, C might be lost. To optimize the C use, the C flows from raw materials to end products must be understood. The estimation of how much of the initial C in the feedstock remains in consumable products and delivers services provides an indication of the C use efficiency. We define this concept as Carbon Utilization Degree ( CUDe ) and apply it to two biomass uses: biogas production and hemp insulation. CUDe increases when conversion processes are optimized, i.e., residues are harnessed and/or losses are minimized. We propose CUDe as a complementary approach for policy design to assess C as an asset for bio-based production. This may lead to a paradigm shift to see C as a resource that requires sustainable exploitation. It could complement the existing methods that focus solely on the climate impact of carbon.

Suggested Citation

  • Anja Hansen & Jörn Budde & Yusuf Nadi Karatay & Annette Prochnow, 2016. "CUDe —Carbon Utilization Degree as an Indicator for Sustainable Biomass Use," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(10), pages 1-17, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:8:y:2016:i:10:p:1028-:d:80538
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    2. Vivien, F.-D. & Nieddu, M. & Befort, N. & Debref, R. & Giampietro, M., 2019. "The Hijacking of the Bioeconomy," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 159(C), pages 189-197.

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