Quantifying reasonable straw removal rate to achieve food security, bioenergy transition and climate mitigation in China

•Reasonable straw removal rates of rice, wheat, and maize are 45 %, 19 % and 42 % in China.•Available straw yields 23–100 Mtce bioenergy depended on end-use products in 2022.•Crop straw-derived bioenergy reduces greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 218–309 Mt.•The transition in straw utilization structure reduces GHG emissions by 157 Mt.•Maize straw is an optimal feedstock for bioenergy and climate change mitigation. Effective management of crop straw is crucial for sustainable food production, renewable energy transition and climate change mitigation. However, accurately estimating reasonable removal rates to enhance grain yield and transition to bioenergy remains challenging. Through nationwide systematic surveys and meta-analysis, reasonable straw removal rates of 45 % for rice, 19 % for wheat, and 42 % for maize were identified in China. The potential bioenergy production derived from these reasonably removed straws ranges from 23 to 100 Mtce in 2022. The combined adjustment of straw utilization and fossil fuel offset through bioenergy leads to a reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 218 to 309 Mt in 2022. Particularly, maize straw emerges as a preferred feedstock for bioenergy and climate mitigation due to its highest bioenergy production and GHG emissions reduction potential. These findings provide critical insights into optimizing agricultural residue management in China, guiding efforts toward food security and carbon neutrality goals. [Display omitted]