Sampsa Kiianmaa WWF Finland Sustainability of Biofuels - Challenges The recent debate has create an unfortunate black and white picture in regards to biofuels. The problems and challenges are real, such as social issues, displacement effects causing deforestation, increased food prices raised, but this does not necessarily rule out the option that biofuels can be produced in such a way that it actually decreases poverty and does not cause negative effects on biodiversity.

Context Goals of WWF GHG and sustainability The role of biofuels? What do we need to do in the EU? Sampsa Kiianmaa WWF Finland

Context Bioenergy, biomass, biofuels? Various drivers for bioenergy Fast growth: Bioenergy targets in > 50 countries worldwide Several discussions back alive –Agriculture Subsidies, Tariffs, Free Trade Agreements... –Expansion of “Sensitive” Commodities (palm oil, soy...) Globally around 46 EJ of bioenergy (IEA, 2006) Traditional solid biomass (fuelwood, dung, charcoal, straw...): 35 EJ and over ½ of global wood consumption! Sampsa Kiianmaa WWF Finland

Sampsa Kiianmaa WWF Finland Goals of WWF Climate To avoid dangerous climate change the increment of Earth’s average temperature has to stay below 2 celsius. –Requiers 50-85% GHG cuts by –WWF’s key solutions: Energy efficiency, stop deforestation, development of low emission tech, flexible fuels and storage, displacing coal with nat. gas, carbon capture & storage Sustainable production WWF has worked for years to promote sustainable commodity production. –There is currently an opportunity to certify bioenergy products. WWF is also looking, together with other partners, into the possibility to expand such a system for all kinds of crops at a later stage.

Land cleared for soy, around Brazilia © WWF / László Máthé Context Goals of WWF GHG and sustainability The role of biofuels? What do we need to do in the EU? Sampsa Kiianmaa WWF Finland

Sources of GHG emission on a life-cycle N (fertilisers, N2O) Processing plant (use of energy…) Energy use for crop production (diesel, fertiliser, water…) Direct and indirect land-use change Transport of the fuels Use of co-products Efficiency of bioenergy use Sampsa Kiianmaa WWF Finland

EMPA, Sampsa Kiianmaa WWF Finland If produced correctly both emissions and environmental impacts can be reduced

How To: GHG and sustainable production Measure GHG balances of bioenergy with accepted and comparable methodologies Certify bioenergy (on GHG balances, social issues and environmental issues) Set minimum GHG savings and link incentives for bioenergy to GHG savings - this would spur non-technology specific continuous improvement Problem: is everything measurable? –N2O (Nitrous oxide) –indirect effects Sampsa Kiianmaa WWF Finland

N2O & Indirect Effects Should be avoided as much as possible N20 –Better Management Practices: limit nitrogen use, encourage conservation agriculture (no/low till; crop rotation; permanent coverage), encourage alternative fertilisers Indirect land-use change –Use of idle/degraded land –Use of waste products –Make existing agriculture/forestry land use more efficient If it cannot be proved that N input is limited or indirect effects are avoided: “GHG risk fee” Fee goes to REDD or CDM for instance? Sampsa Kiianmaa WWF Finland

Second generation biofuels for 0-generation cars? Rabbit & Jatropha in Guatemala © WWF / JP Denruyter Sampsa Kiianmaa WWF Finland

Grid-connected vehicles running on renewable electricity; sustainable biofuels provide range extension for PHEVs If targets achieved only with biofuels: Same renewable targets with 4 times less volume and land!!! Second generation biofuels for second generation cars! Sampsa Kiianmaa WWF Finland

The role of biofuels? Industrialized countries Final aim should be electrification of transport Sustainable biofuels are range extensions for plug-in hybrid flex-fuel cars Developing countries Biofuels to reduce dependency on oil and revitalise agriculture Sampsa Kiianmaa WWF Finland

Context Goals of WWF GHG and sustainability The role of biofuels? What do we need to do in the EU? Sampsa Kiianmaa WWF Finland

10% renewable energy in transport - think further Reducing fuel consumption in transport by 10% (1%) Electrification of transport (1 - 2%?) Biofuels (7-8%?) –Careful selection of feedstock and countries –Strong certification scheme Sampsa Kiianmaa WWF Finland

International Meta-Standard for bioenergy production RSPO FSC RTRS BSI RSB Governments CompaniesInstitutions GHG incentives Civil Society

Are we prepared for sustainable bioenergy? Today: –hunger in countries with, often, low agriculture productivity; –deforestation, increasing meat consumption, increasing population –water crisis looming in various parts of the world If done well, bioenergy could reduce GHG emissions, increase investments in agriculture in developing countries and in degraded areas, create decent employment, and have a positive spill-over effect on other agriculture and forestry sectors. To guarantee an equal share of sustainably produced commodities and benefits will require investments in agriculture in developing countries. But this costs money. Are we prepared to pay for that? Are we ready for such an alliance? Sampsa Kiianmaa WWF Finland

Thank you! Rabbit & Jatropha in Guatemala © WWF / JP Denruyter Sampsa Kiianmaa wwf.fi, panda.org Jean-Philippe Denruyter