The debate itself is not very new. When biofuels first emerged, over a decade ago, they were touted as an earth-friendly solution to lower fossil fuel carbon emissions and reduce foreign dependency on overseas oil.
Biofuel is made by producing ethanol, which comes from plant matter such as palm oil, soy, maize and sugar cane. This type of biotechnology is a carbon neutral alternative, in theory.
While it does have its share of benefits, when overall energy costs are considered biofuels can be a far bigger culprit than an alleged environmental panacea.
UK Government Fuel Obligations
A year ago, in April 2008, the UK's Renewable Transport Fuels Obligation (RTFO) required all suppliers to add biofuels to their gas as a way to reduce carbon emissions.
This came five years after the May 2003 EU promoted biofuels as a viable way of meeting the Kyoto protocol.
EU Biofuels Directive in 2008
In December of this past year, 27 EU Member states signed a ‘‘Biofuels Directive” taking their initiatives one step further. Their aim is to make 10% of all transportation run on biofuel by 2020.
So what is the problem?
Friends of the Earth Biofuel Report
Such long-term agrofuel goals are not positively supported by findings released this past April. The research was carried out as an independent study for Friends of the Earth, one of the world's largest grassroots environmental organizations.
The statistics they provide shows surprising evidence against these types of biofuels measures.
The press statement, Biofuels policy doubles CO2 emissions, explains that since the UK adopted their RTFO law one year ago, which added 3.3% biofuels to petrol and diesel, it may have caused 1.3 million tonnes of extra carbon dioxide emissions.
Total Energy Costs Far Worse
These inadvertent costs are the result of energy used in the deforestation, transformation and transportation processes. After all these additional carbon emissions are accounted for agrofuels can be twice as harmful as conventional fuel.
The researchers further determined that over a one year period carbon emissions from fuel crop plantations can be between 17 and 420 more than fossil fuels.
Rising Food Prices and Social Implications
There are major consequences when land, including forests, savannas and grasslands is converted into usable biofuel areas.
Promoting single-crop agromass reduces the space for edible food crops. This raises the costs of food prices by diminishing the total space allocated to grow staple foods.
Fuel over Food in Developing Nations
While it may be more financially lucrative for farmers in developing nations to grow agrofuels, this comes at a human expense.
Precious resources, such as water, go towards growing these non-edible products. Meanwhile millions of people go hungry every day.
According to the FoE report, fueling a car with a single tank of gas takes the same amount of energy required to feed a child over one year.
Need to Amend Government Targets
The evolving research surrounding the use and regulation of biofuels will force governments to reevaluate earlier strategies. They will need to start implementing more stringent environmental standards, and ones that are more sustainable on an overall level.
Left unchecked the use of biofuels not only contributes to rising greenhouse gases, but also increases worldwide poverty levels.
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