Bioenergy and the Bioeconomy: Not the same thing
Mark Glover, Managing Director and Founder, Renewed Carbon
The terms “bioenergy” and “bioeconomy” are often used interchangeably—but they are not the same. Bioenergy is just one (important) part of a much broader, more strategic industrial opportunity: the Bioeconomy.
At its core, the Bioeconomy refers to the use of biological resources—biomass—to replace fossil carbon in sectors beyond energy. That includes renewable fuels, bioplastics, bio-based chemicals, soil enhancers, and even construction materials. It includes circular systems that value organic residues as inputs—not waste. It recognises that in a carbon-constrained future, carbon itself is a commodity, and managing its origin and reuse is a national priority.
Bioenergy—electricity, heat, or liquid fuels derived from biomass—plays a role in this system. But it’s a conversion technology, not a strategy. And while energy generation often relies on combustion or thermal processing, the Bioeconomy opens pathways for non-combustion value chains that preserve carbon in materials, not just convert it to emissions (even if captured).
Biomass is finite. Its production relies on photosynthesis, soil health, and access to land and water. That constraint means we must prioritise its use carefully matching feedstocks to the highest and best use. That’s why AIEN’s focus is not just on energy, but on supporting a market-based, ecologically fit-for-purpose Bioeconomy that enables regional industry, reduces fossil dependency, and supports biodiversity.
Framing the Bioeconomy correctly is essential. If we reduce it to energy alone, we miss the greater opportunity: to build a circular, sovereign, and carbon-smart industrial system.
Each essay in the Building the Bioeconomy series offers a short, actionable reflection from contributors to the 2024 AIEN Bioeconomy Conference. Together they explore the themes, challenges, and opportunities shaping Australia’s emerging Bioeconomy – highlighting practical pathways, fresh perspectives, and the steps needed to turn strategy into real industry impact. The views expressed are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily reflect the official position of AIEN.
If you attended the 2024 AIEN Bioeconomy Conference and believe you have a perspective worth sharing in a future essay, we’d love to hear from you. Please email us at info@aien.com.au.