Ethanol produced from Brazilian sugarcane is miles better than petrol

Brazilian sugarcane-based bioethanol has been identified as the most efficient biofuel, according to a report produced by the International Food Research Policy Institute (IFPRI). With greenhouse gas emissions that are ninety per cent lower than petrol, widespread bioethanol use could potentially revolutionise the fuel industry.

The report, entitled ‘Global Trade and Environmental Impact of the EU Biofuels Mandate’, explains that the 2020 low emission targets laid-out by the European Union are achievable thanks to the use of Brazilian sugarcane ethanol. The report, which cannot yet guarantee one hundred per cent accuracy, assures that the price of food will not rise as sugarcane biofuel production increases.

“The report currently contains a certain number of inaccuracies, so once these are corrected, we anticipate even higher benefits resulting from the use of Brazilian sugarcane ethanol,” explains Emmanuel Desplechin, the EU’s chief representative of the Brazilian Sugarcane Industry Association (UNICA). “For example, the type of land for sugarcane expansion highlighted in the report does not take into consideration the agro-ecological zoning for sugarcane in Brazil, which prevents cane from expanding into any type of native vegetation.”

Desplechin also explains that sugarcane ethanol, which is shown to provide the most significant reduction in emissions – is highly competitive on the European market.

More information on UNICA and the IFPRI is available on their websites, including the IFPRI report.

Published: Wednesday, 7th April 2010 by Tom Freeman

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