Biofuels from biomass from agricultural land - land use change from a Swedish perspective

Project: Research

Project Details

Description

An international debate is taking place on indirect land use change (iLUC) triggered by biofuels, which could to lead to large emissions of greenhouse gases. EU is expected to shortly decide about future subsidies and restrictions on the use of crops that, according to EU, can cause iLUC. Studies of iLUC caused by Swedish biofuel production are however lacking.
The purpose of this project is to investigate how Swedish biofuels affect the use of land. We will also study measures to minimize the risk of iLUC and trade-offs to sustainability in biomass production. The project is implemented in five parts: (1) Literature review of iLUC models (2) Analysis of land use statistics in Sweden (3) Development of future scenarios for biofuels with a low risk of iLUC. (4) Case studies for the production of biofuels (5) Development of advice to decision makers. The project is implemented by SLU and LTH in cooperation with a
number of actors with interest in the issue.
StatusFinished
Effective start/end date2015/09/012017/08/31

Collaborative partners

  • Lund University
  • Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (lead)
  • E.on Gas Sverige AB
  • Energigas Sverige Service AB
  • Lantbrukarnas ekonomi AB
  • Swedish Biogas International AB
  • Lantmännen

Funding

  • Swedish Energy Agency

UN Sustainable Development Goals

In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This project contributes towards the following SDG(s):

  • SDG 7 - Affordable and Clean Energy
  • SDG 15 - Life on Land

UKÄ subject classification

  • Energy Systems
  • Agricultural Science