Assessing biofuels. Toward sustainable production and use of resources

Jun 2009

This report provides an overview of the key problems and perspectives toward sustainable production and use of biofuels. The Biofuels Working Group of the International Panel for Sustainable Resource Management aims to improve the analytical basis for decision making towards sustainable production and use of biomass for energy purposes (“biofuels”), at the international, regional and national level. Applying a comprehensive systems perspective, the analysis presented here covers the overall effects of biomass use for food, fibre and fuel, in particular on land and water use and resulting environmental impacts such as greenhouse gas emissions, biodiversity loss, and nutrient pollution. The focus is on the environmental effects of so-called “modern bioenergy” or biofuels, while considering their economic aspects and social concerns, especially with regard to relevant side-effects and potential synergies. The report does not address traditional unprocessed biomass like fuel wood, but includes agricultural residues, forest products waste, and municipal waste that can be used to provide electricity and heat for households and industrial processing. It is a synthesis of the extensive literature available to the end of 2008 with a few more recent articles of particular relevance considered as well. It does not claim to be the “final word”, as research in the field of biofuels is experiencing rapid growth (especially related to more advanced biofuels). The report mainly covers first generation biofuels unless otherwise specified. This is solely due to the availability of literature in the reviewing period, and does not mean that more advanced biofuels would not need a similar extensive review of potential risks and benefits. Significant options for future progress go beyond the optimization of biofuel production. An integrated view of supplying both materials and energy for enhanced service provision for households and industry will lead to wider potentials and allow better choices to increase sustainability of resource use. Improved systems technologies will enhance overall resource efficiency, while more effective management instruments can adjust the demand for biofuels to sustainable levels.

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By: S. Bringezu, H. Schütz, M. O´Brien, L. Kauppi, R. W. Howarth, J. McNeely et al.

 
 
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