Land Use Change

The European Community has received a report prepared by the International Food Policy Research Institute on global trade and the environmental impact of the EU Biofuels Mandate. Biofuel development has been supported as a way to reduce the dependency on fossil fuels and it has been seen as a good source of income for farmers particularly in developing countries and a significant reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions compared to non-renewable fuel sources. Some countries like Malaysia, Argentina, Brazil and Tanzania have invested significantly in the redeployment of land for the growth of biofuels. However, there have been recent criticisms over the perceived positive impact of biofuels on food production and overall use and redelopyemnt of land. It seems that in some instances the indirect land use change (ILUC) can actually release more carbon emissions as forests and pristine lands are converted to cropland due to biofuel expansion. This has led to the current debate over whether, and how, the ILUC effects should be accounted for, along with the direct land use change effects, in evaluating the potential impact of biofuel policies.

Major producers of buifuels, on the other hand, are arguing in favour of their direct involvement prior to the development of bio-fuel ILUC policies at a European level.

Reduce emissions within a sustainable development framework

Achieving climate change is truly a global endeavour. A reduction in emissions should be achieved without endangering the environment or livelihood of others. Reductions cannot be achieved by putting vulnerable people's livelihoods at risk (e.g. through replacing oil with second generation biofuels).

Mitigation and adaptation efforts must avoid negative social, economic or environmental impacts in the devloping world. Scotland could lead the world in this area by explicitely stating that it will achieve ambitious emission reduction targets whilest maintaing a committment for sustainable development.

The UK Act refers to the need to have regard to sustainable development in parts, but does not have sustainable development mainstreamed into the legislation.

Scotland should be able to demonstrate its willingness to ensure its mitigation efforts do not impact negatively on other countries.


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