Biofuels ‘dirty’ – report

21 February 2012  

WE all know that modern biofuels can be bad for sensitive injection systems, but it was widely accepted that they were better for the planet.

However, new research from the University of Leicester indicates that plant-oil derived fuels could be just as carbon intensive as regular petrol and diesel with greenhouse gas emissions are some 50% higher than previously thought.

The team from Leicester established that the total gas released into the atmosphere when farming crops on peat was significantly higher than previously assumed. The research also indicated problems with food supply in developing nations if arable land is turned over to fuel oil production.

Dr. Sue Page from the University of Leicester said: “It is important that the full cost of greenhouse gas emissions from biofuel production is made clear to the consumer who may otherwise be misled into thinking that all biofuels have a positive environmental impact.”