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EU biofuel emissions higher than first expected

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Author: | Updated: 21 Mar 2014 11:45

Indirect carbon emissions (ILUC) of biofuels produced from food crops are higher than previously calculated, a new study by the European Union has found.

The new study finds that ILUC emissions are 3 per cent to 62 per cent higher than the EU’s previous study, commissioned two years ago, which formed the basis for its proposals for tackling the issue.

corn field adamr freedigitalphotos.netTwo years since the EU first proposed to halve the mandatory biofuel blending target in response to concerns about the effect of using food crops as fuel, EU member states have yet to agree to the EU Commission's proposals. But with new estimates suggesting that the impact of food-based biofuel may be even higher than originally expected, there may be a new incentive to act.

According to the website, Responding to Climate Change, the original assessment  had assumed higher wheat yields by 2020 than most others.

Lower yields led to a 15 per cent increase in ILUC emissions for wheat-based ethanol, because lower yields would mean more land would be needed to produce the same amount of ethanol.

Conducted in collaboration with the US-based International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), the new study also removed a previous assumption that production of biofuels would cause food consumption to drop; an unlikely scenario.

The EU has yet to finalise measures to regulate ILUC though proposals include requirements for member states to report on ILUC emissions and to make bigger savings on direct greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventional fuels.

There is also plans to restrict food-based biofuel to 5 per cent of the overall 10 per cent target for biofuel in transport fuel by 2020.

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