Environmental issues associated with bioenergy and bioproducts encompass feedstock production, collection, and transportation impacts; emissions, wastewater, and other wastes associated with the conversion of biomass resources into bioenergy and bioproducts; and emissions and waste production associated with the use of bioenergy and bioproducts.
Given that a significant portion of biomass feedstocks are land-based resources, their impact on land (e.g., erosion, nutrient cycling, moisture) is a key issue in determining their environmental sustainability. Other environmental impacts of interest include wildlife diversity; the potential to serve as a reservoir for pests and diseases of other crops; and the potential to become invasive.
Environmental issues associated with the production and use of bioenergy and bioproducts include air emissions (greenhouse gas emissions; particulates; other criteria pollutants regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency) and wastewater treatment.
A whole life cycle assessment (LCA) approach (a cradle to grave evaluation of energy and environmental issues) can be used to examine several of these issues. LCAs frequently include an assessment of the petroleum derived product displaced as a means to compare the relative environmental impacts.