Biofuel production from Nature’s sugars: New horizons in the carbohydrate economy

The carbohydrate economy harnesses the natural ability of photosynthetic organisms to convert atmospheric CO2 into carbohydrates, offering significant advantages for integration into existing agricultural and industrial infrastructures. By selecting carbohydrate-producing systems that align with local economic contexts, it is possible to create robust value chains and ensure equitable benefit distribution. Furthermore, carbohydrate-derived biofuels can be seamlessly incorporated into current fuel infrastructures, eliminating the need for extensive technological overhauls. This review examines recent advancements in carbohydrate production factories and emerging technologies for converting carbohydrates into biofuels. These innovations represent a promising bridging strategy in the transition toward low-carbon solutions, with the potential to significantly reduce reliance on fossil carbon resources and promote more equitable energy and income distribution. Such progress can help foster a society better equipped to address the interconnected challenges of climate change, resource depletion, and growing energy demands.