Alternative Fuels for Agriculture Sustainability: Carbon Footprint and Economic Feasibility

Abstract

Agriculture is the foremost source of food for humans. Fossil fuels are typically used to operate farm machines, contributing to carbon emissions and accelerating climate change. It is possible to mitigate environmental damage by promoting renewable or alternative fuels, namely biofuels, solar energy, biomass, wind, geothermal, small-scale hydro, and wave power. Biofuels are considered as low carbon-emitting alternatives to conventional fuels. The use of biofuels promotes reduced emissions of greenhouse gases and reduces the related detrimental impact of transport. As an alternative to fossil fuels, renewable fuels seem to present a promising scenario. However, if low carbon products are promoted, analysis of each particular product’s GHG emissions and carbon footprint (CF) is needed. Nowadays, CF is considered as the prime indicator of environmental impact, and its calculation is in utmost demand. Agriculture significantly benefits from the use of renewable resources. The carbon footprint measurement has the potential to assess and compare carbon emissions generated by agricultural products and to identify points for improving environmental performance. Several studies have compared alternative fuels with conventional fuels, and it has been proven that using alternative fuels can significantly reduce traditional fuel consumption. Bioenergy includes a number of socio- economic, technical as well as environmental benefits that helps in achieving the UN sustainable development goals (SDG). The aim to end malnutrition and hunger (SDG 2) requires a sustainable system for food production as well as resilient agriculture practices to improve agricultural productivity. The revenues from bioenergy projects can provide food and a better diet for small farming communities, thereby improving their quality of life. The present review aims to provide a comprehensive outlook of the role of alternative or biofuels in the agriculture sector, in terms of economic feasibility and carbon footprint, for sustainable development. This review also discusses the various generations of biofuels in attaining carbon neutrality, biofuel’s impact on the environment, applications in agriculture, and limitations.

The Prokaryotic Microalga Limnothrix redekei KNUA012 to Improve Aldehyde Decarbonylase Expression for Use as a Biological Resource

“…Microalgae autotrophically produce alkanes (C n H n ) via an AD that can be used directly as a biodiesel ( Regalbuto 2009 ). Commercial alkanes such as pentadecane (C 15 H 32 ), 8-heptadecane (C 17 H 34 ), and heptadecane (C 17 H 36 ) could be directly used as gasoline, diesel and jet fuel ( Lin and Lin 2011 ; Zhang et al 2013 ; Hayashi et al 2015 ; Kang et al 2017 ; Mathur et al 2022 ). To produce alkanes in microalgae, two alkane biosynthesis genes are needed to produce AAR and AD ( Schirmer et al 2010 ).…”

“…Studies on renewable energy from biological sources have focused on several topics ranging from carbon-neutral material development to fuel transportation. Biodiesel generated from crops is potentially renewable and carbon neutral but cannot realistically satisfy even a small fraction of the existing demand for transport fuels owing to food shortages and the need for vast cultivation areas ( Chisti 2007 ; Mathur et al 2022 ). Various issues limit the production of bioenergy from wood during preconditioning.…”

“…Microalgae can be used as a biodiesel source via the transesterification of algae-derived triglycerides with an alcohol, such as methanol, by a catalyst. However, this process is typically expensive ( Chisti 2007 ; Mathur et al 2022 ). Fatty acids are common components of complex lipids and differ according to chain length and the presence, number, and position of double bonds in the hydrocarbon chain ( Burdge and Calder 2015 ).…”

Biomass Resources and Biofuel Technologies: A Focus on Indian Development

“…The word "algal fuel" primarily refers to algae-derived oil. Because of its high energy content, this oil can be used as a fuel substitute [40][41][42]. Microalgal oil and fuel are tens to hundreds of times more efficient than other crop kinds [41,43].…”

“…Because of its high energy content, this oil can be used as a fuel substitute [40][41][42]. Microalgal oil and fuel are tens to hundreds of times more efficient than other crop kinds [41,43]. Microalgae [44], are a good source of food, oil, lipids, and fuel.…”