How does climate change affect biomass production and rural poverty?

Abstract

The interrelation between climate change, biomass production, and rural poverty is an area of growing concern, as these factors are intricately linked and often exacerbate one another. The objective of this critical review is to investigate existing knowledge, identify research gaps, and explore how climate-induced disruptions affect biomass production, exacerbate rural poverty, and increase vulnerability. High-quality peer-review publications were sourced via Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar to include the most relevant papers in line with the objective. A bibliometric analysis yielded three key concepts: (i) biofuel innovations and sustainable development, (ii) climate dynamics and biomass environmental impact, and (iii) rural poverty and energy challenges. The review delves into the complex interplay of factors influencing biomass production, climate change, and rural/remote poverty. Climate change intensifies the challenges rural communities face, enhancing their vulnerability to poverty. For these communities, biomass production not only offers a sustainable energy alternative but also a pathway to economic upliftment. Addressing climate change through sustainable biomass production emerges as a vital strategy, providing a dual solution by mitigating environmental degradation and offering a robust framework for poverty alleviation in rural areas. The review emphasizes the urgent need to integrate climate action, sustainable energy production, and rural economic development.