Biotech Updates

Palm Plantation Farming Practice Show the Need for Life Cycle Studies to Evaluate if a Particular Biofuel is Really “Green”

February 9, 2007
http://news.com.com/Once+a+dream+fuel%2C+palm+oil+may+be+an+eco-nightmare/2100-11395_3-6155059.html
http://www.wetlands.org/news.aspx?ID=2817de3d-7f6a-4eec-8fc4-7f9eb9d58828

Although ethanol is a major biofuel source in many countries, there are instances where plant oils (such as palm oil from Southeast Asia) are used as direct substitute to diesel for electricity generation. Palm oil is said to produce “the most energy of all vegetable oils for each unit of volume when burned”. According to the news article above, the high demand of palm oil in Europe has resulted in the clearing and draining of peatlands for conversion into palm plantations. Wetlands International reports that peat fires (which may occur during decomposition of peatlands after drainage) contributes to large-scale carbon dioxide emissions. Peder Jensen, of the European Environment Agency in Copenhagen, mentions that whether a particular biofuel can reduce greenhouse emissions or not, will depend on the proper choice of plant feedstock, and how they are grown and processed. He also cites the importance of life cycle studies, which may be helpful for evaluating sustainability of a particular biofuel..