Report says first generation bioethanol is as sustainable as second generation

September 9, 2017 |

In Germany, a sustainability assessment carried out by nova-Institute and ordered by CropEnergies shows that first generation bioethanol is as advantageous as second generation bioethanol for a feasible climate strategy. The results indicate that the discrimination against first generation biofuels of the current EU Commission proposal is not founded on scientific evidence.

The analysis of 12 different sustainability criteria shows that all of the researched bioethanol feedstocks offer significant strengths, but also weaknesses in terms of sustainability. The authors recommend keeping the existing 7% for food-crop based fuels and not lowering the share of first generation fuels further in the REDII. The report analyses the strength and weaknesses of all biomass feedstocks for bioethanol production by criteria such as GHG footprint, GHG abatement costs, land use efficiency, food security, protein-rich co-products, employment, rural development, livelihood of famers and foresters, LUC / iLUC, logistic, infrastructure, availability, traceability, social impacts, biodiversity and air and soil quality.

Category: Fuels

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