Joint Research Centre report skeptical about biofuels

The future of biofuels, often presented as a major solution to energy needs in a post-oil world, is increasingly uncertain. While the European Parliament’s Committee on the Environment (ENVI) agreed on July 11 to limit its use, a new Joint Research Centre (JRC) study commissioned by the European Commission shows the negative impact of some biofuels.
The problem is the indirect land use change (ILUC) caused by biofuel production. In most cases, first-generation biofuels are grown on soil that was previously dedicated to food production. As a result, the loss of profit on agricultural land has to be compensated by an increase elsewhere. It seems that the increase in biofuels leads to deforestation and a gradual whittling down of the biosphere’s carbon absorption capacity. This means, counterintuitively, that there are worse CO2 emissions caused by biofuels.
Another negative consequence is the rise of agricultural prices because of the increase in the demand for cultivable acreage. The report confirms the conclusions of a previous study carried out by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), which said that biofuels, which are meant to protect the environment, are ultimately more harmful than helpful.
Even though researchers agree that methods vary and that calculating the exact ILUC factor is tricky, their findings essentially match up. Naturally, the biofuel lobbies are not pleased about this and are contesting the scientific validity of these studies.
Adding to the problem, according to the IFPRI’s first research, which had been validated by the JRC, biodiesel based on vegetable oil pollutes just as much as fossil diesel. The report showed bioethanol made from plants that have a high sugar or starch content has a weaker impact on the environment.
The report has not yet been officially published, but it was already circulating when the ENVI committee met. In the fall of 2013, European Parliament members are expected to vote on a report by Corinne Lepage (ALDE, France), which would incorporate ILUC factors when calculating biofuel efficiency. Lepage planned to cap at 5.5% the share of first-generation biofuels in the total energy consumption of the transport sector. This is 4.5 points short of the target set in 2008 by the Commission. In spite of the opposition, ENVI committee MEPs agreed to Lepage’s request with 46 votes in favor and 23 against. The EP’s endorsement is still needed at a vote scheduled to take place at the September 1, 2013, plenary.
The JRC study will most likely provide the basis for upcoming talks. If the Parliament vote matches the ENVI committee’s vote, the integration of ILUC factors could well lead to a change in the EU’s policy on biofuels. Biodiesel would not meet the sustainability criteria set by the Commission in its two directives on renewable energy and fuel quality.
In addition, the biodiesel industry, which accounts for two-thirds of the biofuel market in Europe, would lose the financial aid it is currently benefiting from. It is no surprise that biodiesel lobbies were concerned about the committee’s vote and called on MEPs to protect the biodiesel sector.
(July 26, 2013)