Evaluation of the Indirect Effects of Biofuel Production on Biodiversity: Assessment Across Spatial and Temporal Scales

by Mark van Oorschot, Jan Ros and Jos Notenboom

- The objective of using biofuels is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In the long term, this can reduce the negative impact of climate change on biodiversity. Several biofuels are grown in existing agricultural areas. This will indirectly lead to loss of natural area on the short term through transfer of current production to other world regions. Assessing the balance between short-term losses and long-term gains for biodiversity shows that it may take decades to centuries before losses are compensated for by long-term gains.

Oorschot, M.M.P., J.P.M. Ros and J.G.M. Notenboom (2010). "Evaluation of the Indirect Effects of Biofuel Production on Biodiversity: Assessment Across Spatial and Temporal Scales." Netherland Environmental Assessment Agency (PBL), Report No. 500143007, May 2010.