Energy transition and bioeconomy: an integrated review of interconnected pathways to sustainable development

This review examines the pivotal interaction between the energy transition and the bioeconomy, underscoring their pivotal role in mitigating climate change, resource limitations, and socioeconomic disparities. The study aims to map the evolution of ETBE research, identifying key themes, regions, and scholarly contributions driving progress in these fields. Using a bibliometric and systematic elements review approach, the study analyzes trends, collaborations, and thematic clusters from 2000 to 2023. The findings reveal exponential growth in ETBE research, with distinct thematic focuses on policy, technology, socio-economic impacts, and sustainability. Four major thematic clusters are identified: policy and economy, societal and environmental implications of energy transitions, energy systems and technologies, market dynamics, and strategic planning. The analysis underscores the global collaboration between leading nations like the United States, China, and Germany, which play pivotal roles in advancing ETBE research and innovation. While energy transition dominates the discourse, the integration with bioeconomy still needs to be explored, accounting for only 14% of the reviewed studies. This highlights the need for greater synergy between renewable energy technologies and bio-based solutions to achieve holistic sustainability goals. The review concludes that fostering inclusive collaborations, prioritizing equity, and aligning renewable energy with bioeconomic strategies are essential for achieving a low-carbon, sustainable future. The study provides a roadmap for future research and policy, emphasizing the critical importance of interdisciplinary and international efforts in shaping the global energy transition and bioeconomy landscape.