Debate ensues over how to measure environmental impact of biofuels

Biofuel analysis in the past has been mainly positive, but new analysis known as indirect land use change (ILUC) has initiated new political debates on how environmentally friendly these new fuels are.

The ILUC theory suggests that that by diverting food-crops into fuel tanks, biofuel production increases overall global demand for agricultural land. This is an issue that has recently been raised by Green Peace, who believe that this is driving up the cost of food in the global economy.

Additionally, scientists have suggested that the environmental impact may not be as significant as expected. For example, if farmers meet that extra demand by cutting down rainforest and draining peatland, millions of tonnes of additional carbon emissions will be released that negate the positive impacts of using the fuel in the first place.

This has created new political turmoil in the European Union over how to reduce emissions, as well as setting new definitions over how to measure the full climate impact of biofuels. The bloc's 27 commissioners were expected to choose between three main policy options in a recent meeting, but failed to choose any of them, adding fuel to the speculation that these new scientific findings could significantly impact biofuel progress in Europe.

Nusa Urbancic, a clean fuels campaigner for green transport lobby T&E said: "The good news is that there appears to be a consensus in the Commission that the indirect impacts of biofuels need to be taken seriously.

"The bad news is, after several years, we are still waiting for a legal proposal to get out of the starting gate."

Biodiesal has been found to be more harmful in relation to the new scientific concerns. Researchers have estimated the ILUC emissions associated with each specific crop, concluding that most biodiesel currently used in Europe emits more carbon than conventional diesel.

Talks will continue to find a balance between industry requirements and environmental impact.

Posted by Lauren Steadman