A Commentary on the Act on Sophisticated Methods of Energy Supply Structures as a Case of LCA Utilization

Abstract

Bioethanol is a biofuel that substitutes for gasoline and is adapted globally as one of the measures for reducing the emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs). Meanwhile, bioethanol has various effects on reduction of GHGs emissions, differing from feedstocks to production methods. To reduce GHGs effectively, therefore, it is necessary to introduce the sort of bioethanol that has high GHGs reduction potential through the implementation of life-cycle assessment (LCA). This article presents the aspects of the Act on Sophisticated Methods of Energy Supply Structures, a measure that introduced promotion of bioethanol in Japan, as a case of LCA utilization in the energy industry.