The Role of Bioenergy in Italy in the Transition towards a Bio-based Economy

The opportunities and challenges for the development of a sustainable Italian bioeconomy vary according to the bioenergy used in the various sectors, in line with the principle of “making better use of what we already use” and “effectively using what we do not yet use”. The aim of the present paper is to analyse the main driving factors “for and against” innovative energy policies, focused on bioenegy related to natural cycles and systems, including turning the “energy” present in agricultural and industrial waste and byproducts into usable forms. The role of biogas and biomethane, particularly, in the Italian scenario, will be analysed in the light of current environmental policy trends.