Unlocking sustainable energy: Navigating the complexities of biogas plant siting in developed and developing nations

The escalating global solid waste crisis and population growth, poses urgent societal, environmental, and economic challenges, particularly in developing nations, struggle to manage immense volumes of largely unmanaged organic waste, perpetuating a linear model with that has drawn several environmental consequences. Although converting this abundant organic waste into renewable energy via anaerobic digesters is proven feasible, widespread adoption in these countries is hindered by interconnected barriers, including financial viability and investment attraction, optimal site selection (especially feedstock proximity), complex regulatory frameworks, genuine community acceptance, and high operational costs. This PRISMA guided systematic review critically analyzes these hurdles, revealing a notable underrepresentation of social, political, legal, and economic dimensions in existing literatura a key gap in holistic project planning. The study systematically identifies and synthesizes essential criteria for effective biogas plant site selection in developing nations, harnessing Geographic Information Systems (GIS) as a robust analytical tool to explore trends in technological advancements, environmental factors, and often-neglected socio-political and economic considerations. By defining critical distance parameters and exclusion criteria, it delivers a structured framework to bolster resource management, ensure regulatory compliance, and promote environmental sustainability. Offering precise, evidence-based Onsights, this work equips researchers and policymakers to optimize biogas facility deployment, hastening the shift to a sustainable, circular energy future. Finally, it proposes a flexible criteria set for practical application in resource-constrained settings, enhancing the sustainability and efficiency of renewable energy initiatives in developing countries.