Assessing the Potential of Jatropha curcas L. Cultivation for Biofuel Production and Land Rehabilitation in Libya: A Comprehensive Feasibility Analysis

Abstract

Global Energy Demand and the Imperative for Renewable Biofuels

The escalating global energy demand, fueled by rapid industrialization and urbanization, underscores an urgent need for a fundamental shift from finite fossil fuels to sustainable, renewable energy sources.¹ The combustion of fossil fuels is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions and environmental pollution, intensifying the global search for cleaner, more environmentally benign alternatives.¹ In this context, biofuels, derived from biological materials, present a promising solution due to their renewable, biodegradable, and potentially carbon-neutral properties.¹The discourse surrounding biofuel production has increasingly focused on second-generation feedstocks, such as Jatropha curcas L. These non-edible oilseed plants are particularly attractive because their cultivation does not compete with food crops for arable land or water resources, thereby mitigating the contentious "food versus fuel" debate.¹ This characteristic positions Jatropha curcas as a viable option for sustainable energy production, especially in regions with extensive marginal or degraded lands.