The objective of this study is to evaluate the environmental impact of the entire production chain of fuels made from biomass used in Switzerland. Firstly the study supplies an analysis of the possible environmental impacts of biofuels suitable as a basis for political decisions. Secondly an “environmental life-cycle analysis” (LCA) of the various biofuels is done, which can be used as a basis for granting an exemption from the excise duty on hydrocarbon oil. In addition, the impacts of fuel use are compared with other uses for bioenergy such as the generation of electricity and heat. The study based on the Swiss database of environmental inventories ecoinvent gives a holistic comparison of the environmental impacts of biofuels; however neither the costs of biofuels nor the social consequences of their production are evaluated. The results refer to average values from the year 2004 in the respective production countries and are to be taken as a snapshot of factors relevant to the fuels’ use in Switzerland. Thus the study cannot provide any answers to questions concerning future impacts – for instance, on food prices.
The environmental LCA was done using two different methods: one was the Swiss method of ecological scarcity (Environmental Impact Points, UBP 06), which evaluates the difference between environmental impacts and legal limits. The other one is the European Eco-indicator 99 method, which quantifies the damage done to human health and ecosystems.
The results of the study show that any promoting of biofuels by a tax break, for instance, must be done so as to target the best production paths. Not all biofuels per se can reduce environmental impacts as compared to fossil fuels. Currently, of all the production paths investigated, it is especially the use of biogenic wastes ranging from grass to wood that brings a reduction in environmental impact as compared with petrol. Since the potential of domestic bioenergy today is limited – and will be so in future – bioenergy will not solve our energy problems. However it if the available biomass is transformed into energy in an efficient and environmentally friendly manner, while at the same time consumption is reduced and energy efficiency increased, these alternative energy carriers can together with other forms of renewable energy play a role in our future energy supply that should not be neglected.

By: R. Zah, H. Böni, M. Gauch, R. Hischier, M. Lehmann, P. Wäger (EMPA)

download this document:    309 kb