This briefing paper reviews evidence of the impacts of the U.S. Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) on food prices, with a focus on corn and soy, and presents new analysis on the impact of the RFS on U.S. livestock farmers. Studies examining the relationship between food prices and biofuel demand conclude …
This study presents the production potential for renewable methane in the Netherlands in 2050. The Netherlands is in the process of developing the domestic energy and gas infrastructure policies necessary to comply with both the recast Renewable Energy Directive (RED II) and the country’s Paris Agreement commitments. This study provides …
Alternative jet fuels (AJFs) are among the few available in-sector approaches to reduce aviation sector emissions. Although the aviation sector has not played a prominent role in fuels policy to date, policymakers are increasingly incorporating aviation fuels into long-term strategies as the road sector is electrified. This report reviews the …
The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) produces comprehensive renewable energy statistics on a range of topics. This publication presents renewable power generation capacity statistics in trilingual tables for the last decade (2009 - 2018). Renewable power generation capacity is measured as the maximum net generating capacity of power plants and …
Biofuels are an essential renewable energy resource, with 40% (90 exajoules) of renewable energy resources projected to come from biofuel sources by 2050. In order to meet these projected energetic demands, biofuel production must be increased from the current annual biofuel yield of 50 exajoules. Sustainable intensification of pastureland, or …
A significant share of palm oil and soybean expansion happens on rainforests, forests, peatland and savannahs (land with high carbon stocks), according to a new study reviewing the latest scientific evidence on deforestation. Based on the most recent available satellite assessments, the report estimates that 31% of palm oil expansion …
Aviation is widely seen as the transport sector that is most difficult to decarbonize. One option to dramatically reduce emissions within the aviation sector is through the use of low-carbon alternative fuels. This briefing paper reviews the progress and challenges to the commercialization of alternative aviation fuels and provides recommendations …
This collection aims to provide a reference for policy makers and practitioners working to scale up bioenergy in rural areas of sub-Saharan Africa. Energy, agriculture, forestry, environment, finance and business experts all seek for solutions to provide energy and also enhance food security, social welfare and environmental sustainability. The three …
Solid biomass from forests, farms and cities provides a major energy source for heat and power generation, potentially accounting for a fifth of global energy consumption by 2050 amid accelerated adoption of renewables. But wood and crop residues need to be collected from widely dispersed sites and stored for use …
This report, launched at COP24 in Katowice, looks at the current status of the bioeconomy and its role in low carbon development scenarios. It also maps the four largest barriers for the industry and pathways for progress. This report presents an assessment of the state-of-play of two key bioeconomy sectors …
This update provides details on the latest policy measures that six select European Union member states (Denmark, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Sweden, the United Kingdom) are taking to support the deployment of advanced alternative fuels. Across these countries, currently between 4.8% and 31% of their transportation fuels are derived from …
The European Union (EU) will continue incentivizing the use of biofuels and other renewable fuels through its recast Renewable Energy Directive for 2021-2030 (RED II). This directive includes a provision to limit and phase out by 2030 the contribution of biofuels produced from feedstocks that are “high indirect land-use change …
CO2 Emissions from Fuel Combustion 2018 provides comprehensive estimates of CO2 emissions from fuel combustion across the world and across the sectors of the global economy. This 2018 edition includes data from 1971 to 2016 for more than 150 countries and regions worldwide, by sector and by fuel; as well …
Indonesia has an ambitious 20% blending mandate for biodiesel in transport diesel fuel and relies almost entirely on palm oil to meet this target. This white paper assesses the potential of used cooking oil (UCO) as a biofuel feedstock in Indonesia.
Using fossil fuels to provide transport, power industries, agriculture and cities threatens the climate with anticipated consequences for ecosystems, the economy and society as a whole. Yet access to energy improves lives and is necessary for social development. This is especially important for less developed regions in Africa and Latin …
A new Biofuels, Bioproducts and Biorefining study has found that using ethanol from corncobs for energy production may help reduce greenhouse gas emissions in China, if used instead of starch-based ethanol. China has committed to limiting its emissions by 2030, and biofuel is considered the key to lower emissions from …
As part of its ‘Clean Energy for all Europeans’ package, the European Commission in 2016 proposed an update of the Renewable Energy Directive for the period 2021 – 2030 (RED II). A final compromise document was agreed among EU Institutions on June 14, 2018. This policy update provides an overview …
The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) has set out to produce comprehensive, reliable data sets on renewable energy capacity and use worldwide. The Renewable Energy Statistics 2018 yearbook shows data sets on renewable power-generation capacity for 2008-2017, renewable power generation for 2008-2016 and renewable energy balances for about 120 countries …
The Union Cabinet approved a national policy on biofuels that seeks to not only help farmers dispose of their surplus stock in an economic manner but also reduce India’s oil-import dependence. The policy expands the scope of raw material for ethanol production by allowing use of sugarcane juice, sugar containing …
The biofuels industry has grown rapidly in the past decade, driven by government blending requirements and clean fuels standards in major economies. There is potential for significant new demand for biofuels from the aviation sector, which is looking for ways to meet its goal of carbon neutral growth by 2020, …
The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved National Policy on Biofuels – 2018.The Policy categorises biofuels as "Basic Biofuels" viz. First Generation (1G) bioethanol & biodiesel and "Advanced Biofuels" - Second Generation (2G) ethanol, Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) to drop-in fuels, Third Generation (3G) …
