Biofuels, crops which can be converted into a source of energy, are a hot topic in the renewable energy community. Here at IGHIH we’ve covered biofuels‘ potential before. There is a lot of excitement surrounding the possibility of bringing into the mainstream a source of energy that can be grown by farmers, who are increasingly facing tough economic conditions.
As detractors point out, biofuels have the potential to ruin dreams. One of the most drastic problems is the destruction of peatlands, a type of wetland common in Southeast Asia that is a major carbon sink. An alternative fuel created from palm oil is a major culprit in this destruction. As a result of increased demand for palm oil, many new palm oil plantations are proposed in Malaysia and Indonesia, the majority of which will be sited on peatlands.
The main problem covered in the media to date is related to the use of food crops to produce energy. The most notable are the protests in Mexico over the rise in the cost of tortillas, which has been blamed on increased corn use for ethanol production.
In order to address these and other concerns, Andre Faaj at Utrecht University in the Netherlands has proposed criteria for sustainability certification for biofuels.
The criteria include:
- Greenhouse Gas Reduction Potential
- Competition with Foodcrops / Land Use Distribution
- Biodiversity Levels
- Labor Standards / Living Wage
- Environment: Waste, Toxins, Soil and Water Quality
This certification is a forward thinking way of evaluating a product because it takes into consideration the three pillars of sustainability: economics, equality and environment. In order to evaluate all three aspects of sustainability with existing certification mechanisms, one would need to use multiple certifications, such as the Organic, Shade Grown and Fair Trade triple certification scheme for coffee.
The inspiration of this article was a side event at the 15th UN Commission on Sustainable Development hosted by the Dutch. Learn more about youth participation in the event over at SustainUS.
What do you think about biofuels? Are certification systems the answer? I’ll watch the comments for your thoughts.
