Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Many countries are struggling to reduce GHGs emissions, using different approaches. EU
has created favourable framework on promotion of biofuels.
Nevertheless some extensive studies should be done on environmental impact of new
fuels that may replace the fossil ones. Therefore before new pollution sources are established,
it is important to assess their potential effects on environment, health and food production
(Figure 9). Although most of liquid biofuels studies shows lower emissions in internal
combustion engines regarding to fossil diesel or petrol, in assessment of most studies the
production process of these fuels are not included. In recent years so call “from cradle to
grave” or LCA assessment was developed, where not only consumption, but also production
is included. Several different methods for estimating environmental impacts are available.
Method “Eco indicator 99” is one of the objective ones. In this method social values like,
damage to historical heritage and such kind values are not included since they are hard to
estimate. Several authors are showing results of one or two biofuels obtained from different
feedstock [43, 87, 89]. As described sustainable biofuels can be address only if the satisfying
environmental, economic and social criteria. Sugar beet bioethanol have issues related to the
environmental impacts like pesticides and fertilizers use, water and fossil fuels consumption
for agricultural operations. Also health impacts are not negligible ranging from VOCs,
particles to carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides. And above all use of monocultures have
impact of diversity, land use, famine and food prices (Figure 9).
Therefore sustainable sugar beet bioethanol should take into the account all issues raised
above and then can be implemented as long term fossil fuel substitute.
Figure 9. Environmental, health and food issues of sugar beet bioethanol production.
