Driving to destruction: The impacts of Europe's biofuel plans on carbon emissions and land

1 November 2010

This study analyses the likely impacts on land use and greenhouse gas emissions of biofuel use by 2020. It includes evidence on size and impacts of ‘indirect land use change’ resulting from biofuel use. It is the most comprehensive study to date to quantify these effects. It reveals that the EU’s plans for biofuels will result in the conversion of up to 69 000 square kilometres of land to agricultural use potentially putting forests, other natural ecosystems, and poor communities at risk.

    • Agriculture

      Food and farming in Europe and its global impacts

    • Agrofuels

      Plant-based fuels from agriculture. Also known as biofuels

    • Biodiversity

      Species protection in Europe and around the globe

    • GMOs

      Genetically modified crops and organisms

    • Land

      Measuring Europe’s land footprint and tackling the drivers of land grabbing

    • Biodiversity

      Species protection in Europe and around the globe

    • Extractive industries

      Oil and gas exploration, and mining

    • Land

      Measuring Europe’s land footprint and tackling the drivers of land grabbing

    • Materials and waste

      Reducing, reusing and recycling resources

    • Resource use

      Europe’s consumption of land, materials, water and carbon

    • Shale gas

      Unconventional gas and the extraction process known as ‘fracking’

    • Tar sands

      Unconventional oil. Also known as oil sands

    • Water use

      Measuring Europe’s water footprint