BIOENERGY OR NOT BIOENERGY? THE “NEXUS THINKING” IN DECISION MAKING PROCESS IN MEDITERRANEAN ENVIRONMENT

Bioenergy will play a key role in the decarbonization process of transport sector, contributing to energy security and rural development. However, the competition between energy and food in the use of resources, such as soil, water and energy, requires the adoption of sustainable cultivation models that maximize the efficient use of such resources, especially in dry environment. The aim of the study is the development of a Spatial Decision Support System (S-DSS) to analysis the dynamic interrelationships between water, energy and food systems, with the aim of promoting the efficient use of resources in bioenergy context. The S-DSS was developed using multi-criteria analysis models integrated with the Water-Energy-Food nexus approach. The research work aims to contribute to the debate on the sustainability of bioenergy, so that they can represent a sustainable solution to the energy issue and climate change.