Assessing the environmental sustainability of biofuels

Abstract

Biofuels vary in their potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions when displacing fossil fuels. Savings depend primarily on the crop used for biofuel production, and on the effect that expanding its cultivation has on land use. Evidence-based policies should be used to ensure that maximal sustainability benefits result from the development of biofuels.

Keywords: biofuels; evidence-based policy; life cycle analysis; sustainability.