Brazilian ethanol sustainable, has very positive energy balance : IEA

The International Energy Agency's Bioenergy Task 40 recently published its long-awaited report on the sustainability of Brazilian ethanol. Its conclusions are that the production of sugarcane-based ethanol as it is currently practised in Brazil, is 'environmentally sustainable'. The study also concludes that the energy balance of Brazilian ethanol ranges between 8.3 (average) and 10.2 (best case). This is a very positive balance, compared to, for example, corn ethanol (slightly higher than 1) or rapeseed biodiesel (slightly lower than 2).

Even though current production methods are sustainable, for the future and the whole of Brazil, too many uncertainties remain to determine whether additional criteria from 2011 onwards can be met. First of all, it is as yet unclear how additional land use for sugar cane may cause indirect/induced land-use, and how large the actual impacts will be on land use and biodiversity.

(2006-10-12 13:00:21 SGT) [Energy] Permalink

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