Biofuel analysis calls for ILUC to be considered

Biofuel analysis undertaken by the Institute for European Environmental Policy (IEEP) calls for action to be taken to ensure that the indirect impact of a move towards sustainable fuel sources does not outweigh the benefits of green energy.

According to the IEEP, much biofuel analysis looks at the direct ecological advantages of using grown energy sources rather than fossil fuels.

But it adds that indirect effects - such as the conversion of forested land into feedstock agricultural areas - can have a negative impact overall.

Catherine Bowyer, lead author on the report, says: "This analysis underlines the need to include indirect land use change (ILUC) in the EU criteria for assessing whether biofuels should count towards the delivery of the Renewable Energy Directive's targets."

By taking ILUC into account, she says that the move towards sustainable fuels may be undertaken in a way that does not risk a net increase in greenhouse gas emissions.

The IEEP is an independent consultancy and research organisation; its study was commissioned by a number of environmental action groups.