Biofuels for a More Sustainable Future

Biofuels for a More Sustainable Future

Author: Jingzheng Ren

Publisher: Elsevier

Published: 2019-08-20

Total Pages: 416

ISBN-13: 0128155825

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

Biofuels for a More Sustainable Future: Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment and Multi-criteria Decision Making provides a comprehensive sustainability analysis of biofuels based on life cycle thinking and develops various multi-dimensional decision-making techniques for prioritizing biofuel production technologies. Taking a transversal approach, the book combines life cycle sustainability assessment, life cycle assessment, life cycle costing analysis, social life cycle assessment, sustainability metrics, triple bottom line, operations research methods, and supply chain design for investigating the critical factors and key enablers that influence the sustainable development of biofuel industry. This book will equip researchers and policymakers in the energy sector with the scientific methodology and metrics needed to develop strategies for viable sustainability transition. It will be a key resource for students, researchers and practitioners seeking to deepen their knowledge on energy planning and current and future trends of biofuel as an alternative fuel. Provides an innovative approach to promoting sustainable development in biofuel production by linking supply chain design and decision support with the life cycle perspective Features case studies and examples that illustrate the theory and methods developed Includes material on corporate social responsibility and economic analysis of biofuels that is highly useful to policy-makers and administrators in both government and enterprise sectors


Book Synopsis Biofuels for a More Sustainable Future by : Jingzheng Ren

Download or read book Biofuels for a More Sustainable Future written by Jingzheng Ren and published by Elsevier. This book was released on 2019-08-20 with total page 416 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Biofuels for a More Sustainable Future: Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment and Multi-criteria Decision Making provides a comprehensive sustainability analysis of biofuels based on life cycle thinking and develops various multi-dimensional decision-making techniques for prioritizing biofuel production technologies. Taking a transversal approach, the book combines life cycle sustainability assessment, life cycle assessment, life cycle costing analysis, social life cycle assessment, sustainability metrics, triple bottom line, operations research methods, and supply chain design for investigating the critical factors and key enablers that influence the sustainable development of biofuel industry. This book will equip researchers and policymakers in the energy sector with the scientific methodology and metrics needed to develop strategies for viable sustainability transition. It will be a key resource for students, researchers and practitioners seeking to deepen their knowledge on energy planning and current and future trends of biofuel as an alternative fuel. Provides an innovative approach to promoting sustainable development in biofuel production by linking supply chain design and decision support with the life cycle perspective Features case studies and examples that illustrate the theory and methods developed Includes material on corporate social responsibility and economic analysis of biofuels that is highly useful to policy-makers and administrators in both government and enterprise sectors

Biofuels and Sustainability

Biofuels and Sustainability

Author: Kazuhiko Takeuchi

Publisher: Springer

Published: 2018-07-13

Total Pages: 261

ISBN-13: 4431548955

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

This open access book presents a comprehensive analysis of biofuel use strategies from an interdisciplinary perspective using sustainability science. This interdisciplinary perspective (social science-natural science) means that the strategies and policy options proposed will have significant impacts on the economy and society alike. Biofuels are expected to contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, revitalizing economies in agricultural communities and alleviating poverty. However, despite these anticipated benefits, international organizations such as the FAO, OECD and UN have published reports expressing concerns that biofuel promotion may lead to deforestation, water pollution and water shortages. The impacts of biofuel use are extensive, cross-sectoral and complex, and as such, comprehensive analyses are required in order to assess the extent to which biofuels can contribute to sustainable societies. Applying interdisciplinary sustainability science concepts and methodologies, the book helps to enhance the establishment of a sustainable society as well as the development of appropriate responses to a global need for urgent action on current issues related to biofuels.


Book Synopsis Biofuels and Sustainability by : Kazuhiko Takeuchi

Download or read book Biofuels and Sustainability written by Kazuhiko Takeuchi and published by Springer. This book was released on 2018-07-13 with total page 261 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This open access book presents a comprehensive analysis of biofuel use strategies from an interdisciplinary perspective using sustainability science. This interdisciplinary perspective (social science-natural science) means that the strategies and policy options proposed will have significant impacts on the economy and society alike. Biofuels are expected to contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, revitalizing economies in agricultural communities and alleviating poverty. However, despite these anticipated benefits, international organizations such as the FAO, OECD and UN have published reports expressing concerns that biofuel promotion may lead to deforestation, water pollution and water shortages. The impacts of biofuel use are extensive, cross-sectoral and complex, and as such, comprehensive analyses are required in order to assess the extent to which biofuels can contribute to sustainable societies. Applying interdisciplinary sustainability science concepts and methodologies, the book helps to enhance the establishment of a sustainable society as well as the development of appropriate responses to a global need for urgent action on current issues related to biofuels.

Sustainable Biofuels

Sustainable Biofuels

Author: Ramesh C. Ray

Publisher: Academic Press

Published: 2021-04-08

Total Pages: 502

ISBN-13: 0128223928

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

Sustainable Biofuels: Opportunities and challenges, a volume in the “Applied Biotechnology Reviews series, explores the state-of-the-art in research and applied technology for the conversion of all types of biofuels. Its chapters span a broad spectrum of knowledge, from fundamentals and technical aspects to optimization, combinations, economics, and environmental aspects. They cover various facets of research, production, and commercialization of bioethanol, biodiesel, biomethane, biohydrogen, biobutanol, and biojet fuel. This book discusses biochemical, thermochemical, and hydrothermal conversion of unconventional feedstocks, including the role of biotechnology applications to achieve efficiency and competitiveness. Through case studies, techno-economic analysis and sustainability assessment, including life cycle assessment, it goes beyond technical aspects to provides actual resources for better decision-making during the development of commercially viable technology by researchers, PhD students, and practitioners in the field of bioenergy. It is also a useful resource for those in adjacent areas, such as biotechnology, industrial microbiology, chemical engineering, environmental engineering, and sustainability science, who are working on solutions for the bioeconomy. The ability to compare different technologies and their outcome that this book provides is also beneficial for energy analysts, consultants, planners, and policy-makers. The “Applied Biotechnology Reviews series highlights current development and research in biotechnology-related fields, combining in single-volume works the theoretical aspects and real-world applications for better decision-making. Covers current technologies and advancements in biochemical, thermochemical, and hydrothermal conversion methods for production of various types of biofuels from conventional and nonconventional feedstock Examines biotechnology processes, including genetic engineering of microorganisms and substrates, applied to biofuel production Bridges the gap between technology development and prospects of commercialization of bioprocesses, including policy and economics of biofuel production, biofuel value chains, and how to accomplish cost-competitive results and sustainable development


Book Synopsis Sustainable Biofuels by : Ramesh C. Ray

Download or read book Sustainable Biofuels written by Ramesh C. Ray and published by Academic Press. This book was released on 2021-04-08 with total page 502 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Sustainable Biofuels: Opportunities and challenges, a volume in the “Applied Biotechnology Reviews series, explores the state-of-the-art in research and applied technology for the conversion of all types of biofuels. Its chapters span a broad spectrum of knowledge, from fundamentals and technical aspects to optimization, combinations, economics, and environmental aspects. They cover various facets of research, production, and commercialization of bioethanol, biodiesel, biomethane, biohydrogen, biobutanol, and biojet fuel. This book discusses biochemical, thermochemical, and hydrothermal conversion of unconventional feedstocks, including the role of biotechnology applications to achieve efficiency and competitiveness. Through case studies, techno-economic analysis and sustainability assessment, including life cycle assessment, it goes beyond technical aspects to provides actual resources for better decision-making during the development of commercially viable technology by researchers, PhD students, and practitioners in the field of bioenergy. It is also a useful resource for those in adjacent areas, such as biotechnology, industrial microbiology, chemical engineering, environmental engineering, and sustainability science, who are working on solutions for the bioeconomy. The ability to compare different technologies and their outcome that this book provides is also beneficial for energy analysts, consultants, planners, and policy-makers. The “Applied Biotechnology Reviews series highlights current development and research in biotechnology-related fields, combining in single-volume works the theoretical aspects and real-world applications for better decision-making. Covers current technologies and advancements in biochemical, thermochemical, and hydrothermal conversion methods for production of various types of biofuels from conventional and nonconventional feedstock Examines biotechnology processes, including genetic engineering of microorganisms and substrates, applied to biofuel production Bridges the gap between technology development and prospects of commercialization of bioprocesses, including policy and economics of biofuel production, biofuel value chains, and how to accomplish cost-competitive results and sustainable development

Can Biofuels Alleviate the Energy and Environmental Crisis?

Can Biofuels Alleviate the Energy and Environmental Crisis?

Author: Indra Neel Pulidindi

Publisher:

Published: 2019

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13: 9781536150506

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

Climate change is one of the major challenges society is facing currently. Major spheres of human activity such as health, environment, agriculture, economy, transportation and education were adversely affected because of climate change. Environmental pollution owing to the indiscriminate and ever-increasing consumption of fossil-based resources is the main factor contributing to climate change. Use of fuels produced from renewable sources like biomass cause reduction in CO2 emission and guarantee sustainable energy and a clean environment. The problems of environmental deterioration, as well as energy demands, could be alleviated by the paradigm shift to the use of biofuels from fossil fuels. Innovative strategies were recently developed for the exploitation of biomass for biofuels production. The concept of biomass itself is being understood in an unconventional sense in a way that apart from terrestrial plant resources, marine macroalgae, freshwater microalgae, industrial emissions like CO2, organic remains like glycogen are being explored as feedstock for biofuels production. Biofuel production strategies are also undergoing drastic changes like the use of solar radiation, sonochemical, microwave and accelerated electron beam irradiations to meet the fuel demand and to make the biomass conversion processes more energy- and atom-efficient and sustainable. The objective of the compilation of the book titled "Can Biofuels Alleviate The Energy & Environmental Crisis?" is to reach out to policy makers, scientists, industrialists, and students with a message as well as scientific strategies for alleviating the twin problems of energy and environmental crisis posing a threat to future generations. The book comprises of seven judiciously designed chapters focused on producing biofuels (biodiesel, bioethanol, formic acid, synthesis gas, methane, and ethylene) and biochemicals (glucose, levulinic acid) using feedstock as diverse as lignocellulosic terrestrial biomass, marine macroalgae, glycogen, and CO2. Biomass is an ideal substitute to fossil mass as almost all the products derived from conventional refinery could be produced in a biorefinery using biomass as a carbon source. In addition to being sustainable, the biorefinery facilities are environmentally benign. The biomass conversion strategies proposed in this book facilitate the paradigm shift from fossil-based to biobased industries and help the proliferation of biorefinery facilities in the 21st century, offering a pathway for the alleviation of the problem of climate change.


Book Synopsis Can Biofuels Alleviate the Energy and Environmental Crisis? by : Indra Neel Pulidindi

Download or read book Can Biofuels Alleviate the Energy and Environmental Crisis? written by Indra Neel Pulidindi and published by . This book was released on 2019 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Climate change is one of the major challenges society is facing currently. Major spheres of human activity such as health, environment, agriculture, economy, transportation and education were adversely affected because of climate change. Environmental pollution owing to the indiscriminate and ever-increasing consumption of fossil-based resources is the main factor contributing to climate change. Use of fuels produced from renewable sources like biomass cause reduction in CO2 emission and guarantee sustainable energy and a clean environment. The problems of environmental deterioration, as well as energy demands, could be alleviated by the paradigm shift to the use of biofuels from fossil fuels. Innovative strategies were recently developed for the exploitation of biomass for biofuels production. The concept of biomass itself is being understood in an unconventional sense in a way that apart from terrestrial plant resources, marine macroalgae, freshwater microalgae, industrial emissions like CO2, organic remains like glycogen are being explored as feedstock for biofuels production. Biofuel production strategies are also undergoing drastic changes like the use of solar radiation, sonochemical, microwave and accelerated electron beam irradiations to meet the fuel demand and to make the biomass conversion processes more energy- and atom-efficient and sustainable. The objective of the compilation of the book titled "Can Biofuels Alleviate The Energy & Environmental Crisis?" is to reach out to policy makers, scientists, industrialists, and students with a message as well as scientific strategies for alleviating the twin problems of energy and environmental crisis posing a threat to future generations. The book comprises of seven judiciously designed chapters focused on producing biofuels (biodiesel, bioethanol, formic acid, synthesis gas, methane, and ethylene) and biochemicals (glucose, levulinic acid) using feedstock as diverse as lignocellulosic terrestrial biomass, marine macroalgae, glycogen, and CO2. Biomass is an ideal substitute to fossil mass as almost all the products derived from conventional refinery could be produced in a biorefinery using biomass as a carbon source. In addition to being sustainable, the biorefinery facilities are environmentally benign. The biomass conversion strategies proposed in this book facilitate the paradigm shift from fossil-based to biobased industries and help the proliferation of biorefinery facilities in the 21st century, offering a pathway for the alleviation of the problem of climate change.

Sustainable Development of Algal Biofuels in the United States

Sustainable Development of Algal Biofuels in the United States

Author: National Research Council

Publisher: National Academies Press

Published: 2013-01-18

Total Pages: 247

ISBN-13: 0309260329

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

Biofuels made from algae are gaining attention as a domestic source of renewable fuel. However, with current technologies, scaling up production of algal biofuels to meet even 5 percent of U.S. transportation fuel needs could create unsustainable demands for energy, water, and nutrient resources. Continued research and development could yield innovations to address these challenges, but determining if algal biofuel is a viable fuel alternative will involve comparing the environmental, economic and social impacts of algal biofuel production and use to those associated with petroleum-based fuels and other fuel sources. Sustainable Development of Algal Biofuels was produced at the request of the U.S. Department of Energy.


Book Synopsis Sustainable Development of Algal Biofuels in the United States by : National Research Council

Download or read book Sustainable Development of Algal Biofuels in the United States written by National Research Council and published by National Academies Press. This book was released on 2013-01-18 with total page 247 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Biofuels made from algae are gaining attention as a domestic source of renewable fuel. However, with current technologies, scaling up production of algal biofuels to meet even 5 percent of U.S. transportation fuel needs could create unsustainable demands for energy, water, and nutrient resources. Continued research and development could yield innovations to address these challenges, but determining if algal biofuel is a viable fuel alternative will involve comparing the environmental, economic and social impacts of algal biofuel production and use to those associated with petroleum-based fuels and other fuel sources. Sustainable Development of Algal Biofuels was produced at the request of the U.S. Department of Energy.

Bioenergy for Sustainable Development and International Competitiveness

Bioenergy for Sustainable Development and International Competitiveness

Author: Francis X. Johnson

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2013-07-03

Total Pages: 474

ISBN-13: 1136529551

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

Growing concerns about the impacts of climate change and dependence on fossil fuels have intensified interest in bioenergy from sugar cane and other crops, highlighting important links between energy, environment and development goals. Sub-Saharan Africa is characterized by severe poverty; the possibility to exploit a renewable energy resource offers valuable avenues for sustainable development and could support a more dynamic and competitive economy. This book describes how the bioenergy expansion will improve rural livelihoods, reduce costly energy imports, reduce GHG emissions, and offer new development paths. Drawing on international experience, it is shown that harnessing this potential will require significant increases in investment, technology transfer, and international cooperation. Because of its high efficiency, the authors argue that sugar cane should be viewed as a global resource for sustainable development and should command much greater focus and concerted policy action. Through an analysis of the agronomy, land suitability and industrial processing of sugar cane and its co-products, along with an assessment of the energy, economic and environmental implications, this volume demonstrates that sugar cane offers a competitive and environmentally beneficial resource for Africa's economic development and energy security. With forty-four authors representing thirty organisations in sixteen countries, the book offers a truly international and interdisciplinary perspective by combining technical and economic principles with social, political and environmental assessment and policy analysis.


Book Synopsis Bioenergy for Sustainable Development and International Competitiveness by : Francis X. Johnson

Download or read book Bioenergy for Sustainable Development and International Competitiveness written by Francis X. Johnson and published by Routledge. This book was released on 2013-07-03 with total page 474 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Growing concerns about the impacts of climate change and dependence on fossil fuels have intensified interest in bioenergy from sugar cane and other crops, highlighting important links between energy, environment and development goals. Sub-Saharan Africa is characterized by severe poverty; the possibility to exploit a renewable energy resource offers valuable avenues for sustainable development and could support a more dynamic and competitive economy. This book describes how the bioenergy expansion will improve rural livelihoods, reduce costly energy imports, reduce GHG emissions, and offer new development paths. Drawing on international experience, it is shown that harnessing this potential will require significant increases in investment, technology transfer, and international cooperation. Because of its high efficiency, the authors argue that sugar cane should be viewed as a global resource for sustainable development and should command much greater focus and concerted policy action. Through an analysis of the agronomy, land suitability and industrial processing of sugar cane and its co-products, along with an assessment of the energy, economic and environmental implications, this volume demonstrates that sugar cane offers a competitive and environmentally beneficial resource for Africa's economic development and energy security. With forty-four authors representing thirty organisations in sixteen countries, the book offers a truly international and interdisciplinary perspective by combining technical and economic principles with social, political and environmental assessment and policy analysis.

Biofuels: Renewable Energy for a Sustainable Future

Biofuels: Renewable Energy for a Sustainable Future

Author: Nina Goldman

Publisher:

Published: 2019-06-04

Total Pages: 224

ISBN-13: 9781641161664

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

Renewable energy is replenished naturally on a human timescale. It can replace conventional fuels in the major areas of electricity generation, transportation, off-grid energy services and heating. Biofuel is a renewable fuel that is derived from plants or from agricultural, domestic, commercial and industrial wastes. Biofuels can be in a solid, liquid or gaseous form. Gaseous biofuels include biogas and landfill gas, while liquid biofuels include different bioalcohols and oils. Certain solid biomass fuels are wood, agricultural waste and dried manure. Using first, second, third and fourth generation biofuel production procedures, ethanol, propanol, butanol, biodiesel, methanol, green diesel, biofuel gasoline, etc. can be developed for varied fuel applications. Bioethanol and biodiesel have potential applications as a transportation fuel. This book contains some path-breaking studies in biofuels. There has been rapid progress in this field and its applications are finding their way across multiple industries. With state-of-the-art inputs by acclaimed experts of this field, this book targets students and professionals.


Book Synopsis Biofuels: Renewable Energy for a Sustainable Future by : Nina Goldman

Download or read book Biofuels: Renewable Energy for a Sustainable Future written by Nina Goldman and published by . This book was released on 2019-06-04 with total page 224 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Renewable energy is replenished naturally on a human timescale. It can replace conventional fuels in the major areas of electricity generation, transportation, off-grid energy services and heating. Biofuel is a renewable fuel that is derived from plants or from agricultural, domestic, commercial and industrial wastes. Biofuels can be in a solid, liquid or gaseous form. Gaseous biofuels include biogas and landfill gas, while liquid biofuels include different bioalcohols and oils. Certain solid biomass fuels are wood, agricultural waste and dried manure. Using first, second, third and fourth generation biofuel production procedures, ethanol, propanol, butanol, biodiesel, methanol, green diesel, biofuel gasoline, etc. can be developed for varied fuel applications. Bioethanol and biodiesel have potential applications as a transportation fuel. This book contains some path-breaking studies in biofuels. There has been rapid progress in this field and its applications are finding their way across multiple industries. With state-of-the-art inputs by acclaimed experts of this field, this book targets students and professionals.

Sustainable Development of Biofuels in Latin America and the Caribbean

Sustainable Development of Biofuels in Latin America and the Caribbean

Author: Barry D. Solomon

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2013-10-30

Total Pages: 257

ISBN-13: 1461492750

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

This book examines recent developments in Latin American biofuel production. Taking “sustainable development” as a central theme, each chapter considers one country in the region and explores how biofuel production is evolving given concerns about food sovereignty, trade and other social issues. Environmental conservation, as well as an increasingly complex and globalized economic structure, Is also taken into account. The contributions to this volume critically explore the ways in which biofuel production in Latin America impact social, economic and environmental systems: the so-called “three pillars of sustainability". Numerous stakeholders, drawn from government, industry, civil society and academia have attempted to define “Sustainable Development” in the context of biofuel production and to operationalize it through a series of principles, criteria, and highly specific indicators. Nevertheless, it remains a fluid and contested concept with deep political and social ramifications, which each chapter explores in detail.


Book Synopsis Sustainable Development of Biofuels in Latin America and the Caribbean by : Barry D. Solomon

Download or read book Sustainable Development of Biofuels in Latin America and the Caribbean written by Barry D. Solomon and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2013-10-30 with total page 257 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book examines recent developments in Latin American biofuel production. Taking “sustainable development” as a central theme, each chapter considers one country in the region and explores how biofuel production is evolving given concerns about food sovereignty, trade and other social issues. Environmental conservation, as well as an increasingly complex and globalized economic structure, Is also taken into account. The contributions to this volume critically explore the ways in which biofuel production in Latin America impact social, economic and environmental systems: the so-called “three pillars of sustainability". Numerous stakeholders, drawn from government, industry, civil society and academia have attempted to define “Sustainable Development” in the context of biofuel production and to operationalize it through a series of principles, criteria, and highly specific indicators. Nevertheless, it remains a fluid and contested concept with deep political and social ramifications, which each chapter explores in detail.

Biofuels

Biofuels

Author: Ayhan Demirbas

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2008-11-14

Total Pages: 343

ISBN-13: 1848820119

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

Biofuel is a renewable energy source produced from natural materials. The benefits of biofuels over traditional petroleum fuels include greater energy security, reduced environmental impact, foreign exchange savings, and socioeconomic issues related to the rural sector. The most common biofuels are produced from classic food crops that require high-quality agricultural land for growth. However, bioethanol can be produced from plentiful, domestic, cellulosic biomass resources such as herbaceous and woody plants, agricultural and forestry residues, and a large portion of municipal and industrial solid waste streams. There is also a growing interest in the use of vegetable oils for making biodiesel. “Biofuels: Securing the Planet’s Future Energy Needs” discusses the production of transportation fuels from biomass (such as wood, straw and even household waste) by Fischer-Tropsch synthesis. The book is an important text for students and researchers in energy engineering, as well as professional fuel engineers.


Book Synopsis Biofuels by : Ayhan Demirbas

Download or read book Biofuels written by Ayhan Demirbas and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2008-11-14 with total page 343 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Biofuel is a renewable energy source produced from natural materials. The benefits of biofuels over traditional petroleum fuels include greater energy security, reduced environmental impact, foreign exchange savings, and socioeconomic issues related to the rural sector. The most common biofuels are produced from classic food crops that require high-quality agricultural land for growth. However, bioethanol can be produced from plentiful, domestic, cellulosic biomass resources such as herbaceous and woody plants, agricultural and forestry residues, and a large portion of municipal and industrial solid waste streams. There is also a growing interest in the use of vegetable oils for making biodiesel. “Biofuels: Securing the Planet’s Future Energy Needs” discusses the production of transportation fuels from biomass (such as wood, straw and even household waste) by Fischer-Tropsch synthesis. The book is an important text for students and researchers in energy engineering, as well as professional fuel engineers.

Biofuels and the Sustainability Challenge

Biofuels and the Sustainability Challenge

Author: Aziz Elbehri

Publisher: Food & Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO)

Published: 2013

Total Pages: 198

ISBN-13:

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

Biofuels global emergence in the last two decades is met with increased concerns over climate change and sustainable development. This report addresses the core issue of biofuel sustainability of biofuels and related feedstocks, drawing from a wide range of sustainability related studies, reports, policy initiatives. The report critically examines the economic, environmental and social sustainability dimensions of biofuels and review the major certification initiatives, schemes and regulations. In doing so, the report relies on extensive review of a number of country case studies covering a broad range of current biofuel-feedstocks systems. The report analysis clearly distinguish feedstock efficiency (in terms of biofuel yields per unit of land) from sustainability, especially under limiting resource (irrigated water) or sensitive areas (carbon stocks). Also, long run economic viability depend on the future policy support, technical innovations in biofuel systems, economics of biofuel supply and demand and trade-offs between food and energy uses as well as feedstock productivity gains. Biofuels can present both advantages and risks for environmental sustainability; the latter being often difficult to measure or monitor and may conflict with economic sustainability unless great strides in productivity gains are achieved. Social sustainability is the weakest link in current biofuel certification schemes owing to intrinsic local factors and as efforts target more few negative social impacts; much less focus is placed on inclusive processes that strengthen marginal stockholders participation and benefits. Biofuel certification schemes need to be more smallholder inclusive, perhaps through policy initiatives. Finally, poor developing countries, especially with abundant land and biomass production potential, need to prioritise food security and poverty reduction. In many cases, biofuel models that encourage small scale integrated bioenergy systems may offer higher rural development impacts. FDI-induced larger-scale biofuel projects, on the other hand, may be suitable in those situations where countries have sufficient industrial capacity, besides land and biomass potential, and when these biofuel projects can be fully integrated into domestic energy strategies that do not conflict with food production potential and food security.


Book Synopsis Biofuels and the Sustainability Challenge by : Aziz Elbehri

Download or read book Biofuels and the Sustainability Challenge written by Aziz Elbehri and published by Food & Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO). This book was released on 2013 with total page 198 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Biofuels global emergence in the last two decades is met with increased concerns over climate change and sustainable development. This report addresses the core issue of biofuel sustainability of biofuels and related feedstocks, drawing from a wide range of sustainability related studies, reports, policy initiatives. The report critically examines the economic, environmental and social sustainability dimensions of biofuels and review the major certification initiatives, schemes and regulations. In doing so, the report relies on extensive review of a number of country case studies covering a broad range of current biofuel-feedstocks systems. The report analysis clearly distinguish feedstock efficiency (in terms of biofuel yields per unit of land) from sustainability, especially under limiting resource (irrigated water) or sensitive areas (carbon stocks). Also, long run economic viability depend on the future policy support, technical innovations in biofuel systems, economics of biofuel supply and demand and trade-offs between food and energy uses as well as feedstock productivity gains. Biofuels can present both advantages and risks for environmental sustainability; the latter being often difficult to measure or monitor and may conflict with economic sustainability unless great strides in productivity gains are achieved. Social sustainability is the weakest link in current biofuel certification schemes owing to intrinsic local factors and as efforts target more few negative social impacts; much less focus is placed on inclusive processes that strengthen marginal stockholders participation and benefits. Biofuel certification schemes need to be more smallholder inclusive, perhaps through policy initiatives. Finally, poor developing countries, especially with abundant land and biomass production potential, need to prioritise food security and poverty reduction. In many cases, biofuel models that encourage small scale integrated bioenergy systems may offer higher rural development impacts. FDI-induced larger-scale biofuel projects, on the other hand, may be suitable in those situations where countries have sufficient industrial capacity, besides land and biomass potential, and when these biofuel projects can be fully integrated into domestic energy strategies that do not conflict with food production potential and food security.