Sustainable use of Miscanthus for biofuel

Biomass removes carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere during growth and if converted to biofuel has the potential to be carbon negative, especially if combined with carbon capture and storage. To achieve ambitious targets for global reductions in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions biomass crops should generate high yield from minimal input energy while minimising environmental impacts that could make crop production less sustainable. The biomass crop Miscanthus has a number of characteristics that make it particularly well suited to sustainably displace fossil fuels. These include C4 photosynthesis combined with cold tolerance, high energy output/input ratios, efficient nutrient recycling and high yield from a perennial crop that requires minimal agronomic input. Life cycle assessment has shown Miscanthus generates beneficial GHG and sustainability impacts compared to fossil fuels and other crop systems. The diversity of Miscanthus available suggests domestication of this new crop has great potential for use as a biofuel feedstock.