Implications of biodiesel production and utilisation on global climate - A literature review

Over the last few years, the favourable political environment has led to an increasing use of biofuels in die worldwide transportation sector. This development is mainly driven by concerns about the security of energy supplies and the intention to mitigate anthropogenic greenhouse gases (GHG). However, recently, the sustainability of a broad biofuel production and use has, in particular, been strongly questioned. Against this background, in this study a literature review on available and recently published life cycle assessment (LCA) studies for biodiesel has been carried out and the potential GHG emission savings from biodiesel production and use compared to fossil diesel have been analysed. The results of the reviewed studies underline the significant influence of the effects of land use change and the importance of avoiding the conversion of natural land into agricultural areas. If no land use change takes place, the results show moderate to good GHG savings for biodiesel (depending on the type of converted raw materials as well as on the chosen biomass conversion technology). In particular, the biodiesel feedstock production and the source of energy for the production process strongly influence the overall result of the GHG balance of biodiesel.