A group of scientists have criticised European policy over integrating biofuels, over questions surrounding how clean they really are. More than one hundred scientists and economists are worried the EU has labelled biofuels as ‘Zero Carbon’ and overlooked the effect on land use change.
The letter to the European Commission opens: “We are writing to you to recommend that policies recognise and account for indirect land use change as a part of the lifecycle analyses of greenhouse gas emissions from biofuels. This will encourage development of sustainable, low-carbon fuels that avoid conflict with food production and minimise harmful environmental impacts.”
The letter argues that scientific studies show land use change through biofuel agriculture can not negate the lower emissions emitted from biofuels and in some cases, increased emissions.
The International Energy Association have said that biofuels could provide 20% of the world’s energy by 2050.
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