The French Energy and Environment Management Agency (ADEME) recently released a report on the study of environmental impacts of first-generation (i.e. food-based) biofuel feedstocks that are presently used in France. Each feedstock (during its lifecycle from cultivation, transport and conversion into the biofuel) was evaluated in terms of greenhouse gas emissions, non-renewable energy consumption and impact on health. The study validates previous studies that biofuels have benefits in terms of reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. The biofuels currently used in France are reported to meet the European target for cutting carbon dioxide emissions, but performance varies, depending on the feedstock and process used to make the biofuel. Sugarcane for biofuel ethanol was ranked top on the list. The study showed that sugarcane ethanol produces 90% less greenhouse gases (relative to gasoline), and used 80% less energy during production. Director of Renewable Energy, Jean-Louis Bal, cautions however, that the study does not consider the impact of the change in function of the land used for growing crops. For example, if a forest (having trees which are capable of capturing large amounts of carbon dioxide) is cleared and converted into bioenergy crop plantations, the positive impact of the biofuel can be negated. Details of the study can be obtained from the ADEME report (URL above, in French)..