CE Delft, 2010
Biofuels: Indirect land use change and climate impact
One of the main reasons cited for introduction of the mandatory 2020 target of 10% renewable energy (mainly biofuels) in Europe’s road transport sector is the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Some recent studies, however, show that emissions resulting from indirect land-use change (ILUC) due to biofuels production are so significant that they could sway the climate effects of biofuels from positive to negative, compared with fossil fuels. As yet, however, the most recent range of studies have not been systematically compared and summarized. The objective of this study is to compile the available recent literature on ILUC emissions, compare these emissions with the assumed gains of biofuels, assess how ILUC changes the carbon balance of using biofuels, and formulate policies to avoid these extra emissions associated with ILUC.
