Publication

Modeling Land-Use Change Effects of Biofuels Policies: Coupling Economic Models and LCA

Abstract

Assessing the effect of land-use change (LUC) induced by biofuel policies on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions required coupling and adapting models to address the complex interaction linking biofuels with agricultural and energy markets and the global scope of LUC. Coupling economic-spatial and biophysical models allowed to address iLUC GHG emissions from biofuels, which magnitude range between 10 and 340 gCO2eq/MJ, depending on the feedstock and origin, the models, assumptions an data used, the biofuel scenarios and the amortization period of GHG emissions. Despite the improvement in modelling this effect, large uncertainty is still linked to the estimation. iLUC factors have being introduced in the US biofuel regulation. The EU however is still deciding the approach to include LUC GHG emissions into biofuel regulation. The development of proper standards for calculating LUC GHG emissions from biofuels as well as the improvement of current methods and data are important to achieve more accurate estimates. The LUC effects of biofuel policies need to be addressed in a broader perspective of sustainable agriculture, land-use, industrial and energy systems.

About this result
This page is automatically generated and may contain information that is not correct, complete, up-to-date, or relevant to your search query. The same applies to every other page on this website. Please make sure to verify the information with EPFL's official sources.
Related concepts (32)
Indirect land use change impacts of biofuels
The indirect land use change impacts of biofuels, also known as ILUC or iLUC (pronounced as i-luck), relates to the unintended consequence of releasing more carbon emissions due to land-use changes around the world induced by the expansion of croplands for ethanol or biodiesel production in response to the increased global demand for biofuels. As farmers worldwide respond to higher crop prices in order to maintain the global food supply-and-demand balance, pristine lands are cleared to replace the food crops that were diverted elsewhere to biofuels' production.
Greenhouse gas emissions
Greenhouse gas emissions (abbreviated as GHG emissions) from human activities strengthen the greenhouse effect, contributing to climate change. Carbon dioxide (), from burning fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas, is one of the most important factors in causing climate change. The largest emitters are China followed by the US, although the United States has higher emissions per capita. The main producers fueling the emissions globally are large oil and gas companies.
Biofuel
Biofuel is a fuel that is produced over a short time span from biomass, rather than by the very slow natural processes involved in the formation of fossil fuels, such as oil. Biofuel can be produced from plants or from agricultural, domestic or industrial biowaste. The climate change mitigation potential of biofuel varies considerably, from emission levels comparable to fossil fuels in some scenarios to negative emissions in others. Biofuels are mostly used for transportation, but can also be used for heating and electricity.
Show more
Related publications (35)

Decision support for the design of integrated biorefineries

Julia Granacher

A shift from fossil-based energy and products to more sustainable alternatives is essential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and associated climate change impacts. Biomass represents a promising alternative for providing fuels and carbon-based products w ...
EPFL2023

Climate-Neutral Aviation: how will it affect communities, companies, citizens?

Sascha Nick

Science tells us that a climate-responsible aviation is much smaller, given the urgency and limited contribution of future efficiency gains and biofuels. If flying becomes more exceptional and expensive, how can we collectively prepare, and what will this ...
2023

Reducing Greenhouse Gas emissions is not the only solution

Justine Brun

With the increasing strength and frequency of climate change events, the urgency to mitigate climate change impact is ever so important. Canada reported his Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) and submitted its ambition to reduce his Greenhouse Gas (G ...
2022
Show more
Related MOOCs (1)
Analyse du cycle de vie environmental
MOOC introduction à la pensée du cycle de vie et aux concepts théoriques pour réaliser et critiquer une analyse du cycle de vie.