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37

Biofuels have grown quickly in demand and production (Figure

14), fuelled by high oil prices and the initial perception of their

role in reducing CO

2

emissions (FAO, 2008). Biofuels, includ-

ing biodiesel from palm oil and ethanol from sugarcane, corn

and soybean, accounted for about 1% of the total road trans-

port in 2005, and may reach 25% by 2050, with the EU having

set targets as high as 10% by 2020 (World Bank, 2007; FAO,

2008). For many countries, such as Indonesia and Malaysia,

biofuels are also seen as an opportunity to improve rural liveli-

hoods and boost the economy through exports (Fitzherbert

et

al

., 2008; UNEP, 2008). The US is the largest producer and

consumer of bioethanol, followed by Brazil (Figure 15) (World

BIOFUELS AND COTTON – SUSTAINABLE OPTIONS TO

INCREASE INCOMES OR THREAT TO BIODIVERSITY AND

FOOD PRODUCTION?

Bank, 2007; FAO, 2008). Brazil has now used 2.7 million ha

of land area for this production (4.5% of the cropland area),

mainly sugar cane.

While biofuels are a potential low-carbon energy source, the

conversion of rainforests, peatlands, savannas, or grasslands to

produce biofuels in the US, Brazil and Southeast Asia may cre-

ate a “biofuel carbon debt” by releasing 17 to 420 times more

CO

2

than the annual greenhouse gas reductions that these bio-

fuels would provide by displacing fossil fuels (Fargione

et al

.,

2008; Searchinger

et al

., 2008). Corn-based ethanol, instead of

producing a 20% savings, will nearly double greenhouse emis-

World biofuels annual production

(million liters of fuel)

1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005

0

10 000

20 000

30 000

Ethanol

Biodiesel

40 000

World biofuels production, 2005

(million liters of fuel)

0

5 000

10 000

15 000

USA

Brazil

Other

countries

China

India France

Russia

Ethanol

Biodiesel

Figure 14: The production of biodiesel and ethanol has increased

substantially in recent years.

(Source: Earth Policy Institute, 2006).

Figure 15: United States and Brazil are among the greatest pro-

ducers of biofuels today.

(Source: Earth Policy Institute, 2006).