Socio-Political Governance and Innovation in Biomass-Derived Activated Carbon for Renewable Energy: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Biomass-derived activated carbon and biochar have emerged as promising materials for renewable energy applications, yet their large-scale adoption depends not only on technical performance but also on supporting governance frameworks, policy incentives, and socio-economic conditions. This systematic review examines how socio-political governance mechanisms and policy innovation influence the adoption and sustainability of biomass-derived carbon technologies for renewable energy systems. A systematic literature search was conducted in the Scopus database using a comprehensive search string combining technical (e.g., “activated carbon,” “biochar,” “pyrolysis”) and socio-political keywords (e.g., “governance,” “policy,” “innovation,” “stakeholder”). Records were screened following PRISMA guidelines, with studies assessed for eligibility based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Risk of bias was evaluated using a tailored framework appropriate for interdisciplinary governance and policy studies. From 1,418 initial records, 261 articles met the screening criteria, with 10 studies ultimately included in the final synthesis. Key findings indicate that effective governance of biomass-derived carbon technologies requires integrated policy instruments across agricultural, climate, and energy sectors. Critical success factors include carbon pricing mechanisms, government subsidies, multi-stakeholder engagement, and alignment with circular economy principles. Socio-economic outcomes such as rural employment, farmer income, and community acceptance significantly influence technology adoption, while innovation in digitalization, modular biorefinery design, and value-added biochar products enhances economic viability. The transition to sustainable biomass-derived renewable energy systems depends on coherent policy frameworks that simultaneously address technical feasibility, economic viability, and social acceptability. Strengthening institutional capacity, fostering public-private partnerships, and implementing context-sensitive policy incentives are essential for scaling up adoption across diverse regional contexts.