Carbon Footprint variability and uncertainty in Biofuel Production derived from Organic Waste: A state-of-Art review | ||
| Alfarama Journal of Basic & Applied Sciences | ||
| Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available Online from 13 October 2025 | ||
| Document Type: Review Article | ||
| DOI: 10.21608/ajbas.2025.406976.1271 | ||
| Authors | ||
| abdallah ibrahim Moharam* 1; Mokhtar S. Behary2; Ahmed Abdelaal3 | ||
| 1Environmental Sciences department, Faculty of Science, Port Said university | ||
| 2Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, Port said University | ||
| 3Environmental Sciences Department, Faculty of Science, Port Said University, Port Said, Egypt | ||
| Abstract | ||
| The urgent need to decarbonize the global energy sector, especially considering climate overshoot and escalating greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, has intensified interest in renewable alternatives such as biofuels derived from organic waste. These biofuels offer dual environmental benefits, mitigating waste-related methane emissions and providing a sustainable energy source. However, their environmental performance, particularly in terms of carbon footprint, varies significantly depending on numerous factors across their life cycle. This review critically examines the sources of variability in carbon emissions from organic waste-derived biofuels. Key influences include feedstock characteristics, conversion technologies (thermochemical, biochemical, and chemical), logistical factors, energy inputs, and the management of co-products and waste. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) emerges as an essential framework for accurately quantifying these impacts, yet methodological inconsistencies and data gaps often hinder reliable comparisons across studies. Factors such as system boundary selection, functional unit definition, and data quality significantly shape LCA outcomes and subsequent carbon accounting. The paper also highlights strategies to enhance sustainability and reduce footprint variability, including improved feedstock selection, process optimization, renewable energy integration, and standardized LCA methodologies. Policy recommendations focus on clear carbon accounting standards, incentives for low-carbon biofuel development, and alignment with circular economy principles. Future research should address techno-economic trade-offs, harmonize LCA practices, and adopt digital tools for real-time emissions tracking. Ultimately, transforming organic waste into biofuels offers a promising pathway toward climate mitigation and sustainable energy systems, provided challenges in measurement, policy, and scalability are adequately addressed. | ||
| Keywords | ||
| Biofuels; Organic waste, Carbon footprint; Life Cycle Assessment (LCA); Sustainability energy | ||
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