DECC/RFA Report on Indirect GHG Effects of Wastes, Residues and By-product Utilization for Bioenergy

The NewEnergyFocus website reports the release of a study on indirect greenhouse gas (GHG) effects of waste/residue bioenergy feedstocks, commissioned by the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) and the Renewable Fuel Agency (RFA) (both in the United Kingdom). The study on "Methodology and Evidence Base on the Indirect Greenhouse Gas Effects of Using Wastes, Residues, and By-products for Biofuels and Bioenergy", had the following objectives: (1) develop a "methodology for quantifying indirect greenhouse gas impacts of using wastes, residues and by-products for biofuels or bioenergy, and (2) provide case studies, applying the developed methodologies, on four "inelastic" bioenergy raw materials: molasses, municipal solid waste, straw and tallow. The report showed that biofuels/bioenergy produced from wastes, residues or by-products can cut greenhouse gas emissions, but if the material has other end markets such as in animal feedstock, it may have negative indirect effects, and could actually see a rise in emissions. Other key findings of the study (as summarized in the NewEnergyFocus website) are: (1) "using municipal solid waste for biogas as a transport fuel would make a net carbon emissions saving of 193% compared with fossil diesel", (2) "the net savings from using tallow biofuels would be 14%". The full report can be accessed at the Renewable Fuels Agency (RFA) website (URL above).

Related Information: DECC and RFA websites http://www.decc.gov.uk/ 
http://www.renewablefuelsagency.gov.uk/