Biofuels An Important Part of a Low-Carbon Diet

The Union of Concerned Scientists argues that while biofuels can reduce transportation emissions, their actual impact varies widely based on feedstock and production methods. The report advocates for 'well-to-wheel' life cycle analysis to prevent the adoption of high-carbon alternatives like liquid coal and to promote advanced cellulosic biofuels. It specifically highlights California's Low Carbon Fuel Standard as a model for federal policy to create market incentives for the lowest-carbon fuels while maintaining environmental safeguards.

• Transportation is the largest source of global warming pollution in the United States, accounting for 38 percent of total heat-trapping emissions, including upstream emissions.
• The global warming impact of fuels varies significantly by type and production method: liquid coal can increase emissions by 80 percent compared to gasoline, while cellulosic ethanol can reduce them by more than 85 percent.
• Corn ethanol's impact on global warming is inconsistent across models; while some estimate a 20 percent reduction compared to gasoline, others suggest it may actually increase pollution.
• The conversion of native forests or grasslands into agricultural cropland for biofuel production can release large amounts of stored carbon, potentially increasing global warming pollution.
• A 'low-carbon scenario' where advanced biofuels meet 75 percent of alternative fuel demand could reduce global warming pollution by over 244 million metric tons of CO2eq, equivalent to removing 35 million cars from the road.
• A 'high-carbon scenario' where liquid coal meets 75 percent of alternative fuel demand would increase global warming pollution by 233 million metric tons of CO2eq, equivalent to adding 34 million cars to the road.
• There is a lack of scientific consensus on life cycle accounting for biofuels due to differing methodologies regarding coproduct allocation and system boundaries.
• The use of synthetic nitrogen fertilizers in corn production is a major contributor to heat-trapping emissions, as their production is energy-intensive and they release nitrous oxide (N2O) in the field.

APA

Union of Concerned Scientists (2007). Biofuels An Important Part of a Low-Carbon Diet. https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/2019-10/ucs-biofuels-report.pdf

Chicago

Union of Concerned Scientists. Biofuels An Important Part of a Low-Carbon Diet. 2007. https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/2019-10/ucs-biofuels-report.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Union of Concerned Scientists |title=Biofuels An Important Part of a Low-Carbon Diet |date=November 2007 |url=https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/2019-10/ucs-biofuels-report.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{unionofconcernedscientists2007biofuels, author = {{Union of Concerned Scientists}}, title = {{Biofuels An Important Part of a Low-Carbon Diet}}, institution = {Union of Concerned Scientists}, year = {2007}, month = nov, url = {https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/2019-10/ucs-biofuels-report.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }