Towards sustainable production and use of resources: Assessing Biofuels

IPSRM (International Panel on Sustainable Resource Management)

2009

978-92-807-3052-4

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This report provides an overview of the key problems and perspectives toward sustainable production and use of biofuels. It is based on an extensive literature study, taking into account recent major reviews, and considering a wide range of different views from eminent experts worldwide. The focus is on so-called first generation biofuels while considering further lines of development. This focus is due to state-of-the-art and data availability until the end of 2008. Potential benefits and impacts of second and third generation biofuels – preferably referred to as ‘advanced biofuels’ – are partially included, and might be subject to a specific report at a later stage. The report focusses on the global situation, recognising regional differences. In the overall context of enhancing resource productivity, options for more efficient and sustainable production and use of biomass are examined. In particular, “modern biomass use” for energetic purposes, such as biomass used for (co-)generation of heat and power and liquid biofuels for transport, are addressed and related to the use of biomass for food and material purposes. Whereas improving the efficiency of biomass production plays a certain role towards enhancing sustainability, progress will ultimately depend on a more efficient use of biotic (and abiotic) resources (incl. for instance, an increased fuel economy of car fleets), although a full consideration of all relevant strategies towards this end (e.g. changing diets high in animal based foods and reducing food losses) is beyond the scope of this report. [Objective and Scope]

Biocombustibles; Biocombustibles líquidos; Biocombustibles para transporte; Biomasa;