About the project
An international debate is taking place on indirect land use change (iLUC) triggered by biofuels, which could lead to large emissions of greenhouse gases. The 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 has been to investigate how Swedish biofuels affect the use of land and also to study measures to minimize the risk of iLUC and trade-offs to sustainability in biomass production. The project was implemented in five parts:
- Literature review of iLUC models
- Analysis of land use statistics in Sweden
- Development of future scenarios for biofuels with a low risk of iLUC
- Case studies for the production of biofuels
- Development of advice to decision makers.
A summary in Swedish of background facts and conclusions based on two scientific articles (one published, the other forthcoming) has been published by Lund University in October 2017.
Results
Final reportFacts
Manager
Serina Ahlgren, earlier at SLU
Contact
serina.ahlgren@ri.se
Participants
Lovisa Björnsson and Mikael Lantz, Lund University // Thomas Prade, SLU
Time plan
September 2015 - August 2017
Total project cost
2 619 607 SEK
Funding
Swedish Energy Agency, the f3 partners, SLU, Lund University, E.on, Lantmännen, Swedish Biogas International, Energigas Sverige, Partnership Alnarp and LRF (The Federation of Swedish Farmers)
Swedish Energy Agency's project number within the collaborative research program
40584-1