The Contribution of Biomass Energy on Urban Sustainable Development: Opportunities and Challenges
Abstract
This paper examines the biomass energy issue, particularly its potential and problems in urban sustainability development. With the increase in demand for energy worldwide and sources of traditional fossil fuels gradually dwindling, biomass and other new and sustainable sources become more critical. A qualitative approach is taken to develop the framework, considering literature reviews and content analysis as the techniques employed. The results highlight the potential of biomass in meeting energy demands at the global scale but simultaneously stress the need for would-be expertise management to leverage the potential. The advantages of biomass energy include but are not limited to the enhancement of economic development, environmental upgrading, and boosting energy security by decreasing the dependence on fossil fuels. Land allocation disputes and negative energy balance issues complicate the situation, but recent technologies have eliminated such helpless considerations. The policy and planning implications show that such biomass energy potential cannot be fully exploited without government policy support, infrastructure investment, and international cooperation. This research tries to show above all that, despite the limitations, biomass energy provides significant benefits for city sustainability through the diversification of energy supply, intending to achieve goals compatible with global sustainable development. Areas for future research are provided, leaning toward more quantitative and empirical research to solve problems and verify theories. In fact, cities need to use biomass energy with ecological and equitable perspectives in mind.