Author
S. Bringezu, H. Schütz, M. O´Brien, L. Kauppi, et. al
Source
UNEP International Panel for Sustainable Resource Management
Publisher
UNEPUnited Nation Environment Programme
Category
Sustainability and the Business Case
Managing Corporate Responsibility
Key findings of the assessment report
Putting biofuels development into a broader
perspective of resource efficiency, the report examines the interaction
of biofuel production with a number of global trends, including
population growth, changing nutrition patterns, yield improvements
and climate change. The key findings of the report
are as follows:
- Bioenergy, so far largely in the form of
traditional use of biomass, is part of the energy mix.
- Long term sustainability of the bioenergy
sector can only be achieved with sound policies and planning
that take into consideration a range of global trends, including
population growth, yield improvements, changing diet patterns
and climate change.
- Biofuels may make a difference in terms of
achieving the different policy objectives pursued. However,
not all biofuels perform equally well in terms of their impact
on climate, energy security, and on ecosystems. Environmental
and social impacts need to be assessed throughout the entire
life-cycle.
- As future global biofuel demand is expected
to increase, so is the demand on land. Land conversion for biofuel
crops can lead to negative environmental impacts including implications
such as reduced biodiversity and increased GHG emissions.
- Water is another limiting factor, both in
terms of quality and quantity.
- There are avenues available to create more
efficient and sustainable production of biomass, and thereby
reduce environmental pressures.
- Sustainable biofuel production can occur
when strategies are implemented to increase resource productivity.
Certain measures can reduce environmental pressures on natural
resources and provide social benefits.
