Abstract
Increasing population and affluence have had a direct influence on increasing the energy demand of nations across the globe. Energy from non-renewable fossil resources has associated emissions of greenhouse gases contributing to climate change, a major challenge facing us today. The governments of many countries have tried to address the twin issues of limited local availability of fossil resources and greenhouse gas emissions by promoting the use of bioenergy. Bioenergy is not automatically sustainable unlike popular belief. Assessing its sustainability using a life cycle thinking approach reveals many caveats, not only regarding greenhouse gas emissions but also other environmental impacts that are often ignored. The environmental assessment of palm oil-based biodiesel shows the trade-offs when considering all the life cycle stages of the biofuel supply chain and also when multiple impact categories are considered. The so-called carbon neutrality becomes questionable and other impacts from agriculture arising due to the use of land and agrochemicals are also seen to be very significant. Ignoring these in policymaking could result in serious unintended consequences. Thus, the importance of life cycle thinking in sustainability assessment is illustrated. This will be critical in addressing national needs while also moving towards the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.
Highlights
Energy is one of the most basic human needs along with food and shelter
This article will illustrate these aspects of the importance of life cycle thinking in sustainability assessment using the example of biodiesel derived from palm oil
The application and importance of life cycle thinking was demonstrated for the sustainability assessment of bioenergy system
Summary
Energy is one of the most basic human needs along with food and shelter. It is required, directly or indirectly, for all human activities, especially those for procuring food and shelter. More affluent societies have been seen to shift to a more meat-based diet requiring more agriculture to support the livestock [1] This leads to a higher energy demand along with other environmental pressures including stress on natural resources such as land and water, and pollution from emissions to air, water, and soil. Processing the biomass to more convenient forms of energy, for example as liquid transportation fuels to replace fossil oil-based fuels, has additional demands on resources and results in further greenhouse gas emissions. In addition to these “life cycle” greenhouse gas emissions, there can be substantial emissions even before the cultivation of biomass begins, if high carbon stock land such as forests is cleared for agriculture. This article will illustrate these aspects of the importance of life cycle thinking in sustainability assessment using the example of biodiesel derived from palm oil
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