In recent years Germany has seen a steady rise in the number of energy crops being cultivated for the production of biofuels and biogas. Because bioenergy is so versatile and easy to store, the German Federal Government wants to ensure that it continues to play a major role in the future.

Over the past one-and-a-half years, a group of experts from various disciplines have been helping the Leopoldina investigate how Germany can best harness biomass in ways that make sense from the point of view of energy and the climate. The statement on the opportunities and limits of bioenergy analyses the availability and feasibility of using biomass in Germany, provides an overview of energy conversion technologies and introduces promising approaches to producing hydrogen from renewable resources.

The recommendations contained in this statement are intended to provide parliaments, ministries, associations and companies with well-founded and unbiased support in making the important decisions that will lay the foundations for a climate-friendly, secure and sustainable use of bioenergy.

The general conclusions and recommendations are published as a German and English version:

• Bioenergie: Möglichkeiten und Grenzen. Stellungnahme der Nationalen Akademie der Wissenschaften – Leopoldina. Kurzfassung und Empfehlungen (2012)
• Bioenergy: Chances and Limits. Statement of the National Academy of Sciences – Leopoldina. Executive summary and recommendations (2012)