REVIEW article

Front. Environ. Sci.

Sec. Water and Wastewater Management

Volume 13 - 2025 | doi: 10.3389/fenvs.2025.1613690

Anaerobic Biotechnology for Carbon Neutrality Dual-path Exploration of Anaerobic Biotechnology under Carbon Neutrality Goals: From Wastewater Methane Production to Systematic Utilization of Renewable Energy

Provisionally accepted
Zihan  ZhaoZihan Zhao1*Ziwei  ChenZiwei Chen2*
  • 1Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an, China
  • 2Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing, Beijing Municipality, China

The final, formatted version of the article will be published soon.

This study investigates the application of anaerobic biotechnology in wastewater treatment and resource recovery within the carbon neutrality framework. It systematically elucidates the complete technological chain, from methane production to renewable energy utilization. In the context of intensifying global climate change, carbon neutrality has emerged as a critical strategic objective worldwide. The energy-intensive and high-carbon wastewater treatment sector has become a key focus for emission reduction. Distinct from conventional processes plagued by high energy consumption and carbon emissions, anaerobic biotechnology is garnering increasing attention due to its triple advantages in energy recovery, resource utilization, and emission reduction. By employing anaerobic microorganisms to convert organic matter into methane and other renewable energy sources, this technology not only reduces CO₂ emissions but also provides energy supplementation for wastewater treatment facilities. The research further examines specific applications of anaerobic biotechnology in methane synthesis, nutrient recovery from wastewater, and sludge treatment, along with synergistic mechanisms with other renewable energy technologies. While demonstrating significant potential, technology still confronts multifaceted challenges including process optimization, cost management, and social acceptance. Findings confirm that anaerobic biotechnology serves as a vital pathway for low-carbon transformation in wastewater treatment, offering multidimensional value for establishing circular economy systems and advancing sustainable development.

Keywords: Carbon neutral, Anaerobic biotechnology, wastewater treatment, Renewable Energy, resource utilization

Received: 18 Apr 2025; Accepted: 09 Jul 2025.

Copyright: © 2025 Zhao and Chen. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

* Correspondence:
Zihan Zhao, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an, China
Ziwei Chen, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing, 100044, Beijing Municipality, China

Disclaimer: All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.