Search

Abstract: Land-use change (LUC) estimated by economic models has sparked intense international debate. Models estimate how much LUC might be induced under prescribed scenarios and rely on assumptions to generate LUC values. It is critical to test and validate underlying assumptions with empirical evidence. Furthermore, this modeling approach cannot answer if any specific indirect effects are actually caused by biofuel policy. The best way to resolve questions of causation is via scientific methods. Kim and Dale attempt to address the question of if, rather than how much, market-induced land-use change is currently detectable based on the analysis of historic evidence, and in doing so, explore some modeling assumptions behind the drivers of change. Given that there is no accepted approach to estimate the global effects of biofuel policy on land-use change, it is critical to assess the actual effects of policies through careful analysis and interpretation of empirical data. Decision makers need a valid scientific basis for policy decisions on energy choices. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In the context of the global response to climate change, methanol is receiving widespread attention as a potentially clean, renewable fuel. In this paper, the effects of injection timing and split injection strategy on the combustion process and emissions were investigated in methanol engines. The effect of mixture control on the ignition delay period was studied in detail. The results showed that when the injection timing was advanced to 95 °CA bTDC, the ignition delay period and combustion duration period were reduced by 28.96 % and 6.14 %, respectively. When the injection timing was delayed, the NO X emissions of the methanol engine were significantly reduced by 6.13 %–20.39 %. The use of split injection strategy enables the formation of a reasonably stratified fuel-air mixture in the cylinder. Under the optimized split injection strategy, the combustion duration was shortened by 0.93 %–14.58 %. The ignition delay period of the IT105S2 was shortened by 28.62 % compared with that of the original engine. In addition, the reasonable split injection strategy can effectively reduce the emission of formaldehyde and unburned methanol. This study provides an optimization direction for the application of methanol in the internal combustion engine for high efficiency and clean combustion. [Display omitted] • Split injection strategies and injection timing are studied on methanol engines. • NO X emission decreased by 6.13 %∼20.39 % as the injection timing is delayed. • Split injection facilitates the formation of a reasonably stratified mixture. • Combustion duration was reduced by 0.93 %∼14.58 % with split injection. • The formaldehyde and unburned methanol were reduced with spilt injection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we estimate the availability of shrub biomass along two different geographical transects in the Iberian Peninsula, i) North transect: NE-NW and ii) an Atlantic-Mediterranean transect: NW-S. To determine the available shrub area, the legal, technical, economic and environmental restrictions pertinent to the study areas were identified and their relative thresholds were established. Additionally, the amount of available shrub biomass (tonnes dry matter per hectare) along both geographical transects was calculated using equations specifically created for Spanish shrub formations. The NE-NW transect gave shrub biomass accumulations ranging from 11 to 16 t ha −1 , while the NW-S transect displayed much lower values, from 3 to 16 t ha −1 . Furthermore, the stored energy potential (gigajoules per hectare) for each shrub formation was calculated at each location. This paper provides realistic information, by shrub formation, on shrub biomass availability in the Mediterranean basin, highlighting the suitability of scrublands as potential sources of biomass, as well as the strengths and weaknesses of harvesting such biomass using machinery specifically designed for shrubs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Methane emission from livestock manure is increasingly contributing to the global green house gas emissions. In this paper the methane emission from cattle, pig, sheep, goat and chicken manure in four West African countries; Nigeria, Ghana, Burkina Faso and Mali were estimated. A systematic estimation of the methane emission was done based on the livestock production projections by FAO from 1998 to 2008 and guidelines provided by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). During this period, cattle were found to have emitted more methane followed by pigs, goats, sheep and chicken in that order. A total of about 845 Gg of methane was emitted by the livestock during the period of which cattle contributed about 40%, whereas pigs, goats, sheep and chicken contributed 21.2%, 18.7%, 13.1% and 6.6% respectively. The methane emission from manure management in these countries increased from 64.1 Gg in 1998 to 90.5 Gg in 2008, with an annual growth rate of 3.4% y−1. The methane estimated from livestock manure over the period was shown to be consistent with the linear group model which predicts that in 2018, 2.4 Mt CO2-eq will be emitted increasing to 3.0 Mt CO2-eq in 2028 if the mechanism of manure management remains unchanged. This paper reveals that generating methane from the manure produced by the livestock under controlled conditions could supplement the energy needs, increase Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and consequently reduce the direct impact of methane on climate change. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The focus of this study is to show that by understanding the food-energy-water nexus, potential unforeseen negative outcomes can be avoided in the pursuit of sustainable development. To do this, this paper uses a novel approach to compare a combined farm and short rotation coppice willow system, in which the willow was planted as a riparian buffer, with a food-only and an energy only system. The impact of each system was investigated through the lens of the food-energy-water nexus using life cycle assessment techniques. Data from previous research was adapted in order to quantify the impacts for a typical Irish dairy farm, which is indicative of intensive agriculture across Europe. On a typical Irish dairy farm, the implementation of a short rotation coppice willow riparian buffer strip could reduce total nitrogen and phosphorus leachate by 14% and 9% respectively. Total CO 2 eq emissions could be reduced by 16.5% if energy from the willow displaces fossil fuels, while the impact on milk production and profit is minimal. Thus, the use of short rotation coppice willow as a riparian buffer strip has the potential to reduce strain on the entire food-energy-water nexus. By considering the food-energy-water nexus, the negative impacts of the food-only and energy-only systems were also highlighted. The paper also shows how a better understanding of the food-energy-water nexus supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and could help ameliorate the impact of climate change on the food-energy-water ecosystem. Image 1 • Understanding the FEW nexus supports the UN Sustainable Development Goals. • Negative outcomes can be avoided by assessing systems using the lens of the FEW nexus. • SRC willow riparian buffer strips can complement agricultural intensification. • Nitrogen (−14%) and phosphorus (−9%) exports to water can be permanently reduced. • Agricultural GHG emissions can be reduced by 16.5%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Waste wood represents as much a waste to dispose of as a secondary resource to exploit. Various studies have assessed the energy potential and/or climate impact of energy recovery from waste wood. This paper aims to assess the long-term potential of waste wood for energy production and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction in Switzerland. Material flow analysis (MFA) is applied for modelling the metabolism of wood and waste wood in the Swiss anthroposphere over one century. The energy and climate impacts are estimated for 32 scenarios which assume different forest harvesting variants and waste wood treatment options. The scenario analysis shows that waste wood treatment options are more beneficial in the long term in terms of energy production (by energy recovery from waste wood) and of GHG emission reduction than the increase in the quantities of waste wood generated in the future caused by the advocated strategies of increased forest harvesting. By using the Maximin criterion, the long-term optimal additional potential for energy recovery from waste wood is estimated at 2110 GWh/year of useful energy, which offers a reduction of 364 tonnes of CO 2 equivalents per year. As prerequisites, the nominal installed capacity of the waste wood boilers needs to be raised and their efficiency and as well as those of incineration plants need to be increased. In addition, the sustainable potential of Swiss forests must be fully exploited. This study identifies various recommendations for the optimal exploitation of energy recovery from waste wood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several European policies have been designed over the last decades to address the challenge of climate change and several measures have been put in place to accelerate the development and deployment of cost-effective low carbon technologies. The domestic nature of the resource and its great potential availability in Europe make biomass conversion technologies relevant mitigation options to be considered. In this context, the project “Logistics for Energy Crops Biomass (LogistEC)” aims to develop new or improve technologies of biomass logistics chain. In this project, the sustainability of different types of biomass is analysed in terms of environmental, economic and social impacts, based on the supply chain of two existing plants. The objective of this paper is to present the main results obtained in the socio-economic analysis of the French case and its climate change consequences. The Input-Output Analysis (IOA) has been seen as the most appropriate method to estimate these impacts using a Multiregional Input-Output Table from the World Input-Output Database project. Socio-economic effects have been estimated in terms of additional economic activity, added value and job creation. By extending the IOA with environmental accounts, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions have also been estimated. Additionally, the most stimulated sectors have been identified. Results highlight the importance of biomass at a national level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polymers are one of the most used materials and the majority of their production is based on fossil fuels. Due to the decrease of oil resources and concerns about climate change, alternatives are needed, the transformation of biobased ethanol into biobased polymer being one of them. This paper undertakes an environmental evaluation of the production of biobased polymer produced from two different feedstock cultivated in Belgium: sugar beet and wheat. Both crops cultivation are studied as well as their transformation into biobased ethanol, first, and then to biobased ethylene, focusing on high-density polyethylene (HDPE) as final product. These scenarios are analyzed and compared with the production of conventional polymer using the life-cycle assessment (LCA) methodology with reference to relevant environmental impact categories. This study shows a reduction of impact of around 60% for both climate change and fossil fuel depletion categories when using biobased HDPE instead of its fossil counterpart. For all other impact categories, fossil HDPE achieves better results than the biobased product. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The south-west of Australia is being affected by a warming, drying trend in its climate. In response to these changing climatic conditions, as well as changes in farm commodity price relativities, farmers have adjusted their mix of enterprises to favour cereal production. As a result, an increasing potential source of cereal straw for bioenergy production has emerged. This paper examines how temporal and spatial costs of cereal straw accumulation may affect the establishment of a bioenergy plant in the region, with climate change impacts being highlighted. Logistics models based on mathematical programming are constructed for a range of plant sizes. Modelling results identify the cost structures of cereal straw accumulation for these plant sizes. Plant sizes are characterised by different cost structures and levels of volatility in their costs of grain accumulation. The profitability of bioenergy production based on cereal straw in this region of Australia is particularly exposed to climate variability, especially for larger plant sizes. The projected change in climate supports a relatively small reduction in the costs of cereal straw accumulation. These findings will affect decision-making over investment in a long-lived specific asset such as a bioenergy processing plant. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Biofuel production has been promoted to save fossil fuels and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. However, there have been concerns about the potential of biofuel to improve energy efficiency and mitigate climate change. This paper investigates energy efficiency and GHG emission saving of cassava-based ethanol as energy for transportation. Energy and GHG balances are calculated for a functional unit of 1 km of road transportation using life-cycle assessment and considering effects of land use change (LUC). Based on a case study in Vietnam, the results show that the energy input for and GHG emissions from ethanol production are 0.93 MJ and 34.95 g carbon dioxide equivalent per megajoule of ethanol respectively. The use of E5 and E10 as a substitute for gasoline results in energy savings, provided that their fuel consumption in terms of liter per kilometer of transportation is not exceeding the consumption of gasoline per kilometer by more than 2.4% and 4.5% respectively. It will reduce GHG emissions, provided that the fuel consumption of E5 and E10 is not exceeding the consumption of gasoline per kilometer by more than 3.8% and 7.8% respectively. The quantitative effects depend on the efficiency in production and on the fuel efficiency of E5 and E10. The variations in results of energy input and GHG emissions in the ethanol production among studies are due to differences in coverage of effects of LUC, CO2 photosynthesis of cassava, yields of cassava, energy efficiency in farming, and by-product analyses. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Based on a meta-study, the paper describes the existing options, areal extents, and Swedish farmers'' conditions for energy crop production promoted by the governments to mitigate and adapt to climate change. The drivers of and barriers to cultivating various energy crops are described in terms of a variety of motivational factors. The approach used peer-reviewed and gray literature using three Internet sources. Questions addressed include the energy crops available to Swedish farmers and how well established they are in terms of areal extent. What drivers of and barriers to growing energy crops do farmers perceive? How do various motivational factors for these drivers and barriers correspond to the adoption of certain energy crops? The results indicate that 13 energy-related crops are available, of which straw (a residue), oil crops, and wheat are the most extensively produced in terms of cultivated area. Results confirm earlier research findings that converting from annual to perennial crops and from traditional crops or production systems to new ones are important barriers. Economic motivations for changing production systems are strong, but factors such as values (e.g., esthetic), knowledge (e.g., habits and knowledge of production methods), and legal conditions (e.g., cultivation licenses) are crucial for the change to energy crops. Finally, there are knowledge gaps in the literature as to why farmers decide to keep or change a production system. Since the Swedish government and the EU intend to encourage farmers to expand their energy crop production, this knowledge of such motivational factors should be enhanced. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Ethanol produced from lignocelluloses is expected to make a major contribution on transportation fuel markets. In this paper, a life cycle assessment was carried out to assess the environmental burdens of ethanol production from wheat straw and its use as ethanol blend fuels. Two ethanol based fuel E15 (a mixture of 15% ethanol and 85% petrol by volume) and E85 (85% ethanol and 15% petrol by volume) were assessed and results were compared to those of conventional petrol (PT) in 1 km driven by an equivalent car. The environmental performance was studied using ReCiPe methodology and includes global warming, ozone depletion, photochemical oxidant formation, acidification, ecotoxicity, eutrophication, water depletion and fossil depletion. The results show that, compared to petrol, life cycle greenhouse gas emissions are lower for ethanol blends, with a 73% reduction for an E85-fuelled car and 13% reduction with E15. A modest savings of 40% in fossil depletion was also found when using E85 and 15% when using E15. Similar results are also observed for ozone depletion. The findings highlight a number of environmental issues such as acidification, eutrophication, ecotoxicity and water depletion for which areas ethanol blend use does not offer any advantages compared with petrol. A further analysis of ethanol production at well to gate level helps identify the key areas in the ethanol production life cycle. The results indicate where effort needs to be placed to improve the technology performance and process design which can help in lowering the environmental impacts in the whole life cycle. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The increasing use of liquid biofuels has been justified by highly volatile and rising oil prices, geopolitical instability of countries that control most of proven oil reserves, growing demand for passenger transportation and environmental concerns, especially climate change. Investments in the sector are increasing steadily, with oil majors being responsible for rising investments into liquid biofuel joint ventures, research and development projects and logistics. This paper analyses the underlying motivations of these investments by evaluating corporate diversification and integration strategies. Findings indicate that vertical integration and diversification are an integral part of oil major''s strategic behavior toward biofuels, although strategies differ substantially among companies. In the short term current major oil companies'' investments in liquid biofuels are driven by the requirement to comply with binding mandates for biofuels, whereas in the long-term liquid biofuels, if produced on a significant scale, could be classified as non-conventional liquid hydrocarbon reserves for oil majors where access to other (non-)conventional resources is not secured. Finally, given existing technology lock-ins it seems unlikely whether different paths for producing liquid biofuels will be able to co-exist in the long term, or there will be only one dominant path possibly controlled by large oil companies. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: There has been a growing interest in liquid biofuels during the recent years due to concerns about security of energy supply and global climate change. Targets have been set throughout the globe for blending biofuels into conventional petroleum fuels. In this paper, an optimisation framework for the strategic design of a hybrid first/second generation ethanol supply chain is presented. The model seeks to address sustainability issues such as the use of food crops, land use requirements of second generation crops and competition for biomass with other sectors. The applicability of the model is demonstrated with a case study of ethanol production in the UK. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Facing climate change and growing energy prices, the use of bioenergy is continuously increasing in order to diminish greenhouse gas emissions, secure energy supply and create employment in rural areas. Because the production of biomass or biofuels, wherever it takes place, comes along with externalities, positive or negative, the need for biomass and bioenergy sustainability criteria is more than ever felt. Research on sustainability criteria and certification systems has started through several national and international initiatives. Considering the benefits of an increased use of bioenergy but also the urge for limiting potential negative environmental and socio-economic impacts, the aim of these initiatives was to make the first move regarding bioenergy sustainability, while waiting for the European legislation to regulate this crucial issue. Land use changes, whether direct or indirect, are one of the most important consequences of bioenergy production. While direct land use changes are more easily assessed locally, indirect land use changes exceed the company level and need to be considered at a global scale. Methodologies for dealing with direct and indirect land use changes are proposed among others in the European, Dutch, British and German sustainability initiatives. This paper aims at presenting and comparing those four European initiatives, with a focus on their propositions for direct and indirect land use changes assessment. Key issues are discussed and recommendations are made for steps to overcome identified difficulties in accurately assessing the effects of indirect land use change due to bioenergy production. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Biofuels are promoted in many parts of the world. However, concern of environmental and social problems have grown due to increased production of biofuels. Therefore, many initiatives for sustainability criteria have been announced. As a part of the European Union (EU) renewable energy promotion directive (RED), the EU has introduced greenhouse gas (GHG) emission-saving requirements for biofuels along with the first-ever mandate methodology to calculate the GHG emission reduction. As explored in this paper, the RED methodology, based on life-cycle assessment (LCA) approach, excludes many critical issues. These include indirect impacts due to competition for land, biomass and other auxiliary inputs. Also, timing issues, allocation problems, and uncertainty of individual parameters are not yet considered adequately. Moreover, the default values provided in the RED for the GHG balances of biofuels may significantly underestimate their actual impacts. We conclude that the RED methodology cannot ensure the intended GHG emission reductions of biofuels. Instead, a more comprehensive approach is required along with additional data and indicators. Even if it may be very difficult to verify the GHG emission reductions of biofuels in practice, it is necessary to consider the uncertainties more closely, in order to mitigate climate change effectively. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The Government of Canada, like many others around the world, has given much importance to biofuels to address some of its policy challenges: climate change and diversification of energy supply. To deal with the emissions, the Government plans to increase production and use of ethanol. This will have impacts on the Canadian economy. An input–output model of the Canadian economy is developed to estimate the macroeconomic impacts of the Ethanol production in Canada. Several modifications have been made in the Use and Make matrix of Canada, 2003. To consider biofuel sector in the Make and Use table of Canada 2003 we have included two new industries – biofuel and E10. The four new commodities have been entered in the list – ethanol, E10, DDG and CO2. The impact matrix is estimated from an input–output model that computes the direct plus indirect impacts on the Canadian economy, 2003. This model has been closed to the household sector in the economy by endogenizing this sector into the model. Various multipliers have also been estimated. A number of simulation exercises have also been attempted to study the implications of policies to reach the Kyoto target of Canada. Results show that the macroeconomic impact of ethanol sector leads to increase in industrial output and employment. The agriculture sector makes necessary adjustments to meet the demand for ethanol product. The petroleum industry is also going to be affected. The paper concludes with several policy suggestions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this paper I discuss general conceptual issues in the estimation of the impacts of CO2 emissions from soils and biomass, over time, as a result of land-use change (LUC) due to increased demand for energy crops. The effect of LUC on climate depends generally on the magnitude and timing of changes in soil and plant carbon, and in particular on the timing and extent of the reversion of land to original ecosystems at the end of the bioenergy program. Depending on whether one counts the climate impacts of any reversion of land uses, and how one values future climate-change impacts relative to present impacts, one can estimate anywhere from zero to very large climate impacts due to land-use change (LUC). I argue that the best method is to estimate the net present value (NPV) of the impacts of climate change due to LUC. With this approach, one counts the reversion impacts at the end of the program and applies a continuous discounting function to future impacts to express them in present terms. In this case, the impacts of CO2 emissions from the initial LUC then are at least partially offset by the impacts of CO2 sequestration from reversion. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Current carbon accounting methodologies do not accommodate activities that involve emissions reductions from both land-use change and energy production. This paper analyzes the climate change mitigation potential of charcoal production in East Africa by examining the impact of changing both land management and technology. Current production in a major charcoal producing region of Kenya where charcoal is made as a by-product of land clearance for commercial grain production is modeled as the “business-as-usual” scenario. Alternative production systems are proposed based on coppice management of native or exotic trees. Improved kilns are also considered. Changes in aboveground, belowground, and soil carbon are modeled and two distinct baseline assessments are analyzed: one is based on a fixed area of land and one is based on the quantity of non-renewable fuel that is displaced by project activities. The magnitude of carbon emissions reductions varies depending on land management as well as the choice of carbonization technology. However, these variations are smaller than the variations arising from the choice of baseline methodology. The fixed-land baseline yields annualized carbon emission reductions equivalent to 0.5–2.8tons per year (ty−1) with no change in production technology and 0.7–3.5ty−1 with improved kilns. In contrast, the baseline defined by the quantity of displaced non-renewable fuel is 2–6 times larger, yielding carbon emissions reductions of 1.4–12.9ty−1 with no change in production technology and 3.2–20.4ty−1 with improved kilns. The results demonstrate the choice of baseline, often a political rather than scientific decision, is critical in assessing carbon emissions reductions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

abstract: Rice is a widely grown crop in the South and South-East Asia that leaves substantial quantity of straw in the field. The aim of this paper is to assess the quantity of rice straw produced, estimate Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions based on its current uses, and assess its possible energy potential and related GHG emissions mitigation potential. Updated statistics on rough rice production are used in this study in combination with the literature values on Straw-to-Grain Ratio (SGR) to quantify the amount of rice straw produced in the three countries of focus. It is estimated that 97.19, 21.86, and 10.68 Mt of rice straw residue are produced in India, Thailand, and the Philippines, respectively. In India, 23% of rice straw residue produced is surplus and is either left in the field as uncollected or to a large extent open-field burnt. About 48% of this residue produced is subjected to open-field burning in Thailand, and in the Philippines it is 95%. The GHG emissions contribution through open-field burning of rice straw in India, Thailand, and the Philippines are 0.05%, 0.18%, and 0.56%, and the mitigated GHG emissions when generated electricity is used would be 0.75%, 1.81%, and 4.31%, respectively, when compared to the total country GHG emissions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper explores the potential of the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) of the Kyoto Protocol to promote modern bioenergy options in developing countries. The starting point is that developing countries need to be given a major role in the implementation of the Convention on Climate Change because of their increasing energy demands and the pressing need to mitigate climate change. The role of CDM is discussed in the context of sustainable development, formation of carbon markets, and promotion of bioenergy options. Besides contributing to mitigate climate change, CDM can be used to demonstrate and disseminate new technologies, reduce investment risks and enhance the cost-efficiency of projects, while also creating jobs and improving environmental conditions. In this context, bioenergy projects are attractive and CDM provides a complementary bridge for international cooperation towards sustainable development. However, since CDM is project-based, a broader policy framework is needed to integrate such projects in regional and global bioenergy systems solutions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Mitigating the effects of climate change has lead to an increasing use of biofuels in Denmark, including fuelwood from the forests. This has raised concern about the future supply of fuelwood. This paper presents a method for estimating potential fuelwood resources from forests larger than 0.5 ha based on national forest inventory data. The first part of the study addresses the assessment of potential fuelwood resources, whilst the second part focuses on the estimation of the economically available resource. For the latter, locality data are extracted from the biomass assessment and coupled with data on location of conversion facilities and projected consumption. The data is incorporated into an economic model based on GIS to form industrial marginal cost-of-supply curves from an optimisation of the allocation of fuelwood using LP. Economically available fuelwood resources are estimated using a substitution delivery cost of €1200 TJ−1.Depending on the supply scenario, the results indicate that the national potential fuelwood resource is sufficient to meet 70–150% of the projected consumption and that the resource is not expected to decline significantly in the next three decades. The estimation of economically available fuelwood resources shows that the resources meet only 57–100% of the projected consumption, even when the cost-of-delivery curves are based on the optimal allocation of the fuelwood resource to the conversion facilities. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This paper analyzes the possibility of producing bio-fuel in the Amazon degraded lands. The aim here is to combine environmental concerns with an improvement of local people well-being. Firstly, a historical analysis is conducted in order to figure out the major deforestation driving forces in Amazon and to help to arrive at a feasible energy choice.Secondly, the geographical area is chosen. It is the spatial boundaries of Caraja´s Iron Ore Program in the southeastern Amazon where most of the deforestation has taken place in the last few decades. For this specific context, palm oil is chosen as a technological energy alternative due to its social production structure, its environmental benefits and its productivity.A quantified analysis is realized in terms of income generation (2000–3000 US$/family/yr), job creation (200,000–300,000 families settled), land required and restored (2–3.2 million ha), and carbon emission from fossil fuel avoided (13.1 Mt C). Some recommendations related to institutional and economic barriers are proposed in order to encourage the technology penetration in the market. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The greenhouse gas emissions associated with bioenergy are often temporally dispersed and can be a mixture of long-term forcers (such as carbon dioxide) and short-term forcers (such as methane). These factors affect the timing and magnitude of climate-change impacts associated with bioenergy in ways that cannot be clearly communicated with a single metric. This is critical as key comparisons that determine incentives and policy for bioenergy are based upon climate-change impacts expressed as carbon dioxide equivalent calculated with GWP100. This paper explores these issues further and presents a spreadsheet tool to facilitate quick assessment of these temporal effects. The potential effect of (i) a mix of GHGs and (ii) emissions that change with time are illustrated through two case studies. In case study 1, variations in the mix of greenhouse gases mean that apparently similar impacts after 100-years, mask radically different impacts before then. In case study 2, variations in the timing of emissions cause their climate-change impacts (integrated radiative-forcing and temperature change) to differ from the impacts that an emissions-balance would suggest. The effect of taking alternative approaches to considering "CO 2 -equivalence" are also assessed. In both cases, a single metric for climate-change effects was found to be wanting. A simple tool has been produced to help practitioners evaluate whether this is the case for any given system. If complex dynamics are apparent, it is recommended that additional metrics, more detailed inventory, or full time-series impact results are used in order to accurately communicate these climate-change effects. • Climate-change effects of two case studies compared to results from carbon-balance. • Single metrics do not always fully convey climate-change impacts. • Spreadsheet tool made available to facilitate assessment of temporal variation in impacts. • Inclusion of additional results recommended to provide complete picture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: "Indirect land use change for biofuels: Testing predictions and improving analytical methodologies" by S. Kim and B. Dale , presents a principal inference not supported by its results, that rests on a fundamental conceptual error, and that has no place in the current discussion of biofuels’ climate effects. The paper takes correlation between two variables in a system with many interacting factors to indicate (or contraindicate) causation, and draws a completely incorrect inference from observed sample statistics and their significance levels. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Facility siting has traditionally been performed using economic metrics alone to determine suitable locations for a new facility. In this era of climate change concerns and political discord, a more holistic approach to biorefinery siting may yield alternative locations that meet stakeholder goals for community acceptance and reduced environmental impacts. A multi-criteria decision support tool (DST) that incorporates economic, environmental, and social metrics concurrently is introduced to assess the repurpose potential of existing facilities as a wood-based biorefinery. Economic siting criteria are represented by biorefinery operational cost components that vary geospatially. The environmental criterion is the Global Warming Potential of the supply chain, as measured through greenhouse gases emitted from the feedstock procurement, preprocessing, and transport equipment. Social criteria are represented by 1) the number of regional jobs created through the installation of a biofuel supply chain, and 2) county-level social assets that may influence biorefinery project success. Weights and scale values are derived for each set of metrics. An overall facility score is produced by summing the three metric scores. Additionally, overall user-defined metric weights are used to adjust the importance of the three metrics, thus altering the overall facility scores. The DST is applied to a case study in Western Oregon and Western Washington to refine a list of candidate pulp mills down to a select few for further investigation. It was found that the mills scored differently when overall metric weights were adjusted. Therefore, different stakeholder preferences may yield a different priority list of facilities. • Decision support tool combines economic, environmental, and social datasets. • Candidate facilities are scored on how their assets match the proposed biorefinery. • User defined weights allow for adjusting the importance of each metric. • The tool provides for refining a list of alternative sites down to a select few. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]