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An international group of eminent scientists is calling for authorities around the globe and particularly the US to formulate legally-binding environmental standards for biofuels.

Writing in the peer-reviewed journal Science, the scientists say that biofuels could play a positive role in mitigating climate change, but the potential benefits could be outweighed by poor location choices and management practices.

Grain-based biofuels are already harming the environment, say the scientists. The need to use more intensive farming methods is leading to soil erosion, loss of nutrients from the soil and declining biodiversity.

Even though cellulosic feedstocks are preferable in environmental terms, the lower of costs of grain-based biofuels means that they will be with us for some time. The only alternative, therefore, say the scientists, is to use farming that mitigate the effects.

“We can soften the environmental impacts by using strategies such as no-till farming to minimize erosion and planting cover crops to sequester carbon and reduce nitrogen and phosphorus run-off,” says Phil Robertson of Michigan State University. “Few farmers use all of the best available practices because there are limited incentives – and many disincentives – for them to do so.”

Introducing legislation to promote these practices is necessary to move toward a sustainable future for biofuels. And we know enough now to begin formulating these standards, say the scientists.

“Environmental standards are needed now, before the industry moves out of its research and development phase,” says Robertson. “As the technology to make biofuels from cellulose is refined and commercialized, we believe it’s crucial that the industry and legislators adopt policies that reward environmentally sustainable production practices.”

For further information:
Robertson, G. P., et al. (2008). Sustainable Biofuels Redux. Science322, 49-50