Climatic Change DOI 10.1007/s10584-013-0962-6 Potential and limitations of bioenergy for low carbon transitions Ruben Bibas · Aurélie Méjean Received: 9 November 2012 / Accepted: 25 September 2013 © Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2013 Abstract Sustaining low CO 2 emissions pathways to 2100 may rely on electricity production from biomass. We analyze the economic effect of the availability of biomass resources and technologies with and without CCS within a general equi- librium framework. We assess the robustness of bioenergy with and without CCS for reaching the RCP 3.7 target with the hybrid model Imaclim-R. Global consumption is affected by the absence of CCS or biomass options, and biomass is shown to be a possible technological answer to the absence of CCS. As the use of biomass on a large scale might prove unsustainable, we show that early action is a strategy to reduce the need for biomass and enhance economic growth in the long term. 1 Introduction Recent studies suggest that energy produced from biomass may play a significant role for reaching ambitious climate stabilization objectives (van Vuuren et al. 2010). Bioenergy is usually considered a source of sustainable, clean energy for two crucial uses: transport and electricity. The enthusiasm surrounding bioenergy relates to possible negative CO 2 emissions when combined with carbon capture and storage technologies (CCS). Indeed, low climate stabilization objectives may require net negative emissions towards the end of the century (Fisher et al. 2007). Negative CO 2 emissions can be achieved through direct or indirect CO 2 removal methods, for instance by enhancing land carbon sinks through land use management, natural weathering processes or the oceanic uptake This article is part of the Special Issue on “The EMF27 Study on Global Technology and Climate Policy Strategies” edited by John Weyant, Elmar Kriegler, Geoffrey Blanford, Volker Krey, Jae Edmonds, Keywan Riahi, Richard Richels, and Massimo Tavoni. R. Bibas (B ) · A. Méjean CIRED – International Research Center on the Environment and Development, 45 bis, Avenue de la Belle Gabrielle, 94736 Nogent-sur-Marne, France e-mail: ruben.bibas@centre-cired.fr