IS BIODIESEL GREEN - OR GREENWASH?

At present, Government policy in the UK and in Europe strongly encourages the adoption of biodiesel as a means of reducing the carbon footprint of the transport industry. But Bob Sturgess, Managing Director of ACE Fuelcards, believes there is strong evidence to question the validity of biodiesel as a green option.

Biodiesel is a diesel-equivalent processed fuel derived from biological sources, such as plants and other living forms, as opposed to fossil fuels (derived from the fossilized remains of dead plants and animals). In theory, fuels made from plants can reduce the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by cars and trucks: Plants absorb carbon as they grow, and it is released again when the fuel is burnt. Biodiesel is biodegradable and non-toxic and typically produces about 60% less net lifecycle carbon dioxide emissions. And thus, on the face of it, may be seen to provide a clear-cut benefit.

However, emissions of the smog forming hydrocarbon are 35% greater from biodiesel than from petroleum-based diesel, and emissions of nitrogen oxide are also higher. But to see the full picture it is important to look at the sourcing of biodiesel - and it is here that the problems really lie.

Tropical deforestation
A Sustainability Report by the Swiss Bank Sarasin in July 2006 placed "the present limit for the environmentally and socially responsible use of biofuels at roughly 5% of current petrol and diesel consumption in the EU and US."1 Beyond that level, the production of fuel begins to compete directly with the production of food - resulting in rising food prices, and food scarcity in poorer countries.
Even more problematic, however, is that whilst biodiesel can be created from many crops, for example, barley, rapeseed, maize and wheat, production will naturally gravitate towards the most efficient and cost-effective source - which is palm oil.
Already this new market for palm oil has stimulated a massive expansion of tropical deforestation in Malaysia and Indonesia, and as the forests are cut down, the carbon in both the trees and the peat they grow on turns into carbon dioxide. A study by the Dutch scientific consultancy Delft Hydraulics found that the production of every tonne of palm oil causes 33 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions.2 This is 10 times worse than petroleum.
Thus when the effect of sourcing biodiesel (from the most efficient and cost effective source) is included in the equation, the evidence suggests that far from reducing the carbon footprint of transport, increasing the use of biodiesel may accelerate climate change.

Immediate positive impact
I believe that there are other, better ways towards a greener transport industry - and that the use of fuelcards, such as those provided by ACE, offers one way that fleet managers and drivers can immediately begin to reduce their carbon footprint.
For example, with a weekly fuel price that applies nationwide and is up to 2-3p below pump prices, there is no need for drivers to drive around searching for the best fuel price. This helps to reduce fuel consumption, and protects ACE cardholders from potentially costly regional price variations.
Furthermore, the extensive network of ACE sites makes it easy for drivers and managers to plan fuel stops that do not take them out of their way, thereby again saving valuable time and unnecessary fuel consumption.
And with the availability of ACE site locators in numerous formats - including printed directorys and online - finding a convenient forecourt for re-fuelling is also easy and quick, whether in the office or out on the road.

To start saving with an ACE fuelcard, just call 0845 073 0873 TODAY or visit www.acefuelcards.co.uk to see the full benefits and download an application form.

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