Climate Change: Bioenergy

The RSC and Biosciences Federation has responded to the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs committee Climate Change: Bioenergy inquiry. The key points of the response are summarised below:

1. UK capacity to produce biofuels (biodiesel and bioethanol) is limited to 5-10% of the total road transport fuel requirement without changes in the production of food crops but with use of exports and set-aside land.
2. Carbon savings would be greater in electricity production than in biofuels and so provision of land for this would exemplify 'best use'.
3. There is much potential for the production of hydrogen by the highly efficient processing of biomass.
4. There are currently many options for the generation of energy from potential materials. The best of these, including the biorefinery approach, not only produces matter for power generation but also potentially valuable co-products.
5. Given the restriction of available land area, there is great potential in exploiting the extensive marine resources at the disposal of the UK for biomass production, a process which serves multiple beneficial roles beyond that served by the end product.
6. The potentials for bioenergy are unlikely to be exploited under prevailing economic conditions and sectorial approaches. There must be strong links between all those involved including academic research, agricultural production, industrial refining and end users be they public retailers or power companies.
7. Economic factors will drive the success of bioenergy so making this option competitive is essential. Research into the practicalities of scale, efficiency and logistics as well as the creation of an appropriate long-term policy and finance framework based upon this research to support bioenergy in the UK is clearly needed.
8. A successful and essentially long-term emissions trading scheme would be an economic driver for companies offering energy with considerable CO2 reductions. In addition, the lifetime of support mechanisms such as Renewable Obligation Certificates (ROCs) should be extended to encourage investment.
9. Economic support for ventures including Short Rotation Coppicing (SRC) which have returns after four years following high initial investment is vital for this approach.
10. A roadmap of what research, development and deployment is happening in the UK is critical in establishing the future strategy on biofuels. Cross party consensus towards a long-term direction is essential in realising the full potential possibilities presented.
11. Carbon emissions from the use of biomass or derived products is generally equal to that sequestered during the growth of the source material making the process carbon neutral. However, this depends crucially upon the energy used in processing and production, and the logistics and efficiency of agricultural, chemical, biochemical and engineering practices employed.
12. Achieving sustainability during production would be greatly helped by the publication of best practice guidelines for agriculture.
13. The impact of biofuel monocultures on ecology, for example oil seed rape, is likely to be detrimental, particularly if set-aside land is lost. However, SRC has positive impacts on flora and fauna with a variety of ecosystems supported.
14. Biomass is most effective in reducing CO2 when the supply chain distance is minimal. This means that importing biomass should be considered carefully in this respect in addition to the ethical and security implications involved. 
15. Continued involvement with international research programs is essential, particularly those which are principally similar to the conditions and situation of the UK. The work of the DTI in the area of bioenergy should continue and be built upon. 
16. Any headway made in developing renewable energy policy should be mirrored in concerted efforts to improve user efficiency.