Co-embedded N-doped hierarchical porous biocarbons: Facile synthesis and used as highly efficient catalysts for levulinic acid hydrogenation

•Bamboo shoot shells were transformed into N-doped hierarchical porous carbons.•Co-embedded N-doped carbon catalysts were prepared by a facile approach.•Catalyst shows high activity for levulinic acid hydrogenation at mild condition.•Pyrrolic N and metallic Co played important roles for the catalytic activity.