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Can large-scale biofuels production be sustainable by 2020?

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  • Bindraban, Prem S.
  • Bulte, Erwin H.
  • Conijn, Sjaak G.

Abstract

Worldwide, many nations impose blending of their transport fuels with biofuels, approximating 10% globally by 2020, to contribute to energy security while reducing emission of green house gasses (GHG). Food riots, scientific insights that question the GHG benefits and raised concern about the loss of biodiversity, have lead to the formulation by various governments of sustainability criteria for biofuels to comply with. In this paper, we assess this conditionality and argue that large-scale biofuels production will be unable to comply with these criteria in 2020, and can therefore not be qualified as sustainable.

Suggested Citation

  • Bindraban, Prem S. & Bulte, Erwin H. & Conijn, Sjaak G., 2009. "Can large-scale biofuels production be sustainable by 2020?," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 101(3), pages 197-199, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:agisys:v:101:y:2009:i:3:p:197-199
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    1. Searchinger, Timothy & Heimlich, Ralph & Houghton, R. A. & Dong, Fengxia & Elobeid, Amani & Fabiosa, Jacinto F. & Tokgoz, Simla & Hayes, Dermot J. & Yu, Hun-Hsiang, 2008. "Use of U.S. Croplands for Biofuels Increases Greenhouse Gases Through Emissions from Land-Use Change," Staff General Research Papers Archive 12881, Iowa State University, Department of Economics.
    2. von Braun, Joachim, 2007. "The world food situation: New driving forces and required actions," Food policy reports 18, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).
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    14. Scarlat, Nicolae & Dallemand, Jean-Franc¸ois & Banja, Manjola, 2013. "Possible impact of 2020 bioenergy targets on European Union land use. A scenario-based assessment from national renewable energy action plans proposals," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 18(C), pages 595-606.
    15. Grau, Baquero & Bernat, Esteban & Rita, Puig & Jordi-Roger, Riba & Antoni, Rius, 2013. "Environmental life cycle assessment of rapeseed straight vegetable oil as self-supply agricultural biofuel," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 50(C), pages 142-149.
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    18. Wilson, P. & Glithero, N.J. & Ramsden, S.J., 2014. "Prospects for dedicated energy crop production and attitudes towards agricultural straw use: The case of livestock farmers," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 74(C), pages 101-110.

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