State and Trends of Sustainability for Biofuels production

Abstract

The potential risks of biofuel production for food security, biodiversity and the environment are extensively debated and are thus important issues for consideration. The development of sustainability criteria for biofuel production is an important measure for increasing the positive and decreasing the negative impacts. This article showed state and trends of sustainability for biofuel production in EU, UK, USA, Japan, and international organizations etc., and problems and future perspectives. In the case of Japan, the sustainability criteria of biofuels are based on the act on the Promotion of the Use of Non-Fossil Energy Sources and Effective Use of Fossil Energy Source Materials by Energy Suppliers. Contribution to CO₂ emission reductions identified by LCA, supply stability as a source of energy, and coping with competition between food and fuel are the key aspects of the Japanese sustainability criteria for biofuels. The LCA-based reduction standard set by Japan is 50%. Biodiversity, as well as environmental and social impacts needed to be considered during procurements. The criteria of 50% reduction is an obstacle for biofuel production in Japan. Supply chain management and certification system are important issues for procurement.