Is the Production of Biofuels Environmentally Sustainable?

Authors
Publication date 2020
Host editors
  • S. Hashmi
  • I.A. Choudhury
Book title Encyclopedia of Renewable and Sustainable Materials
ISBN
  • 9780128131954
ISBN (electronic)
  • 9780128131961
Series Reference Module in Materials Science and Materials Engineering
Volume | Issue number 3
Pages (from-to) 545-550
Publisher Amsterdam: Elsevier
Organisations
  • Faculty of Science (FNWI) - Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics (IBED)
Abstract
Environmental sustainability is defined here as near-constancy of natural capital and resources derived thereof, that are to be transferred to future generations. Contributions to natural capital considered here include: Fresh water, soil and soil carbon, plant nutrients, ecosystem services, fossil fuels and climate The current production of biofuels often has a substantial negative effect on natural capital that is to be transferred to future generations. Biofuels are renewable but do not necessarily mitigate the greenhouse effect or carbon footprint, if compared with fossil fuels. Options that can reduce the negative impact of biofuels on natural capital are outlined.
Document type Entry for encyclopedia/dictionary
Language English
Published at https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-803581-8.11018-5
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