They Might Seem Green, But Not All Biofuels Are Sources Of Clean Energy

In the ongoing quest to find environmentally friendly, yet effective, forms of energy, there’s been a lot of focus on so-called biofuels. And with a name like that, many folks are convinced that this might be the wave of the future.

But as with a lot of cleverly named and intrepidly marketed products, there’s more to this blossoming industry than meets the eye.

A big G20 focus

World leaders are converging in India this week for the latest Group of 20 meeting, and reports indicate that there will be a major push to expedite the production of sustainable biofuels. Early estimates suggest that at least 15 of the 20 nations represented at the G20 meeting (including the U.S.) will agree to join the alliance.

And on the surface, there’s a lot to like about these fuels. In fact, humans have always used some type of biofuel — burning wood or manure, for example — to keep warm, produce light, cook food, and perform other important tasks.

Current biofuels provide an opportunity to reduce pollution and improve sustainability. That is, if it’s done right.

The generation gaps

Not all biofuels are created equally. Experts have divided them into three distinct categories, or generations, that are based on the core materials used to create them.

• Generation 1: Made from crops such as corn or sugar cane
• Generation 2: Made from farm waste or inedible crops
• Generation 3: Made from algae

Each stage can be useful, but the major caveat involves how the vegetation is initially grown to produce the fuel. For example, creating biofuels from inedible crops and/or waste (like second generation fuels) doesn’t come with any inherent emissions.

But when farmers grow crops specifically for fuels to create products like ethanol, the environmental footprint can be much larger.

Chris Agee September 9th, 2023

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