Knowledge and Capacity Barriers to Circular Bioeconomy in Crop Waste Bioenergy Production: A Comparative MCDM Analysis

In the context of growing energy demand, prioritising the advancement of the circular bioeconomy is essential over the ongoing extraction of fossil fuels for a sustainable future. The utilisation of crop residues for bioenergy can significantly contribute to the circular bioeconomy framework, providing a sustainable as well as economical solution. However, it may be hindered by several knowledge and capacity-related barriers. This study examines those critical knowledge and capacity barriers to the effective implementation of a circular bioeconomy for crop-residue-based bioenergy production via a systematic literature review and experts’ suggestions. This paper further aims to compare the findings of the DEMATEL and WINGS methods in identifying potential relationships among selected knowledge and capacity barriers from an academic-expert-driven perspective, and to ascertain key strategies for successful crop-residue-based bioenergy production through a qualitative case study analysis of Indian farmers. The results indicate significant discrepancies in the number of interrelationships among the barriers. While DEMATEL reveals a comparatively greater number of interrelationships, WINGS tends to highlight only the most dominant and statistically robust causal links, identifying technical skill gaps and awareness deficits as particularly influential. Therefore, resolving these difficulties is crucial for sustainable bioenergy production through a circular bioeconomy framework.