NSW Biofuel mandate decision could increase NSW Greenhouse Gas Emissions by 1.5% - 21 January 2009

Contrary to claims of environmental benefit and greenhouse gas reduction, research by Greens MP Ian Cohen of 6 ethanol and biodiesel projects indicates a first generation biofuel industry could actually increase the State’s GHG emissions by approximately 1.5%.

“The orthodox concept behind biofuel is to reduce GHG emission by substituting petroleum with biofuel products. On a closer examination of project Environmental Assessments, a number of project proposals reveal that projects over their full life cycle – which includes plant construction, transport, energy use and biofuel production - actually increase GHG emissions,” says Greens MP Ian Cohen

“It is hard to understand the logic of Australian taxpayers handing over $200 million a year in excise rebate to an industry that is actually increasing GHG emissions in NSW.”

“In NSW, the Government has committed $340 million to GHG emission reduction programs including the Residential Rebate Program to prepare NSW for a low carbon future. How did the NSW Cabinet approve a policy initiative so counter productive to the State’s GHG emission reduction objectives?”

The table below uses data provided in Environmental Assessments prepared for EP & A Act Part 3A applications and Director General Assessments.