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Facts At A Glance

Dispatch From Bali: Biofuels at the Bottom of the List of Low-Carbon Technologies

"In its rush to complete energy legislation before the holidays, Congress is disregarding studies that reject the increased use of biofuels as a silver bullet for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. In fact, a new survey of decision-makers released in Bali at the UN's annual climate change convention places biofuels at the bottom of the list of technologies that can help mitigate greenhouse gas emissions."

Charles T. Drevna
Executive Vice President, National Petrochemical & Refiners Association (NPRA)
December 12, 2007

BBC Reports on the World Conservation Union (IUCN) Low-Carbon Technology Survey

• "Of 18 technologies suggested by IUCN, the current generation of biofuels came bottom of the list, with only 21% believing in its potential to 'lower overall carbon levels in the atmosphere without unacceptable side effects' over the next 25 years." (Richard Black, "Tackling climate change - Bali summit," BBC News Web site, December 11, 2007 [emphasis added])

• "Although the EU and the US are attempting to boost the expansion of biofuels, recent evidence is equivocal about their potential. Studies show they may produce only marginal carbon savings compared to conventional petrol and diesel." (Richard Black, "Tackling climate change - Bali summit," BBC News Web site, December 11, 2007 [emphasis added])

• "In Indonesia and elsewhere, forests are being cleared for palm oil plantations, partly to produce biofuels. There is evidence that leaving forests intact results in greater climate benefits while protecting biodiversity." (Richard Black, "Tackling climate change - Bali summit," BBC News Web site, December 11, 2007)

Highlight from the Survey - Bicycles, Clean Coal, Co-Generation Rank Higher Than Biofuels

• Survey respondents ranked "Human-powered vehicles," "Co-generation (electricity and heat)," and "Clean coal technology - new build" higher than "First generation bio-fuels from agricultural crops." (Climate Decision Maker Survey, World Conservation Union, November 22 - December 5, 2007, 1000 Respondents from 105 Countries)

N2O Emissions Negate Potential CO2 Savings

• "…[D]epending on N content, the use of several agricultural crops for energy production can readily lead to N2O emissions large enough to cause climate warming instead of cooling by 'saved fossil CO2'." (P. J. Crutzen, A. R. Mosier, K. A. Smith, and W. Winiwarter, "N2O Release from Agro-Biofuel Production Negates Global Warming Reduction by Replacing Fossil Fuels," Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics Discussions, August 1, 2007 [emphasis added])