Environmental Analysis of the Valorization of Woody Biomass Residues: A Comparative Study with Vine Pruning Leftovers in Portugal

Abstract

Evaluating Global Warming Potential (GWP) in waste management scenarios is crucial, especially in light of the escalating global concern for climate change and the pivotal role that waste management plays in mitigating this crisis. This research examines the GWP of three distinct waste management scenarios, each with a unique approach: (1) open burning, a method involving direct combustion with a GWP of 1600.1 kg·CO2eq, chiefly attributed to direct emissions without any mitigation tactics; (2) energy recovery, which capitalizes on converting waste into energy, yielding a GWP of 1255.4 kg·CO2eq, the reduction resulting primarily from avoided heat production; and (3) pyrolysis, an advanced thermal decomposition process that remarkably registers a negative GWP of −1595.1 kg·CO2eq, mainly credited to the carbon sequestration capacity of biochar production and optimal energy conversion efficiency. These outcomes emphasize the ecological merits of waste management approaches that produce lower, or even better, negative GWP values. In particular, pyrolysis emerges as a powerful way of transforming waste management into a potential carbon sink, proving crucial for climate change counteraction. Nevertheless, for effective real-world deployment, the study highlights the importance of addressing technical, economic, and societal challenges, underscoring the need for holistic, interdisciplinary research.