Wwe Style Edge Trench Coat

The EU will review its policy on biofuels for the harm caused

Few believe in biofuels
María Elena Navas
BBC Science

Despite the criticism, the U.S. and Europe support the use of biofuels.

Biofuels are the least favored by experts to combat climate change.
That's the opinion of over a thousand scientists and delegates from 105 countries at the UN conference on climate change in Bali, Indonesia.

Between 18 technologies to reduce carbon dioxide emissions over the next 25 years, the fuels produced from agricultural crops are the lowest potential.

Technology favored by specialists is solar energy.

The survey, released in Bali was carried out by the environmental organization World Conservation Union (IUCN its acronym in English) and the World Bank.

The document also reveals that experts call for giving greater emphasis to the protection of biodiversity.

"This is the first survey of several that we will continue over the next two years," he told BBC News Julia Marton-Lefèvre, IUCN director general.

"The results show that for the experts, sustainable development and biodiversity are very important factors in combating climate change. "

" This shows that beliefs are not always reflected in the negotiations, "said the official.



Technology
is expected that climate change conference the international community to commit to a new plan two years leading to further reductions in emissions of greenhouse gases.

This would put into effect when the current Kyoto Protocol expires in 2012.

As experts say, based on this new challenge and response the world to climate change is technology.

But until now, nobody knows for sure what technology to adopt.


technology favored by experts is solar.
is why the IUCN asked more than 1,000 scientists, government representatives and nongovernmental organizations gathered in Bali, what is the technology they trust the most.

Of 18 technologies suggested by IUCN, the current generation of biofuels remained at the bottom of the list.

Only 21% of experts believed that these fuels "have the potential to reduce carbon levels in the atmosphere without unacceptable side effects in the next 25 years."

40% believe in the potential of nuclear energy next generation, currently under development.

and solar energy for hot water and electricity is the most favored sustainable technology, with a vote of 74% of the experts. More study



"We need to study more how to use biofuels," says an official of the IUCN.

"For we have seen that we can not use biofuels without considering the needs of the poor and their access to land," he adds.

Experts generally believe that improving energy efficiency and reducing demand could produce more benefits to the sources "clean" energy. The

survey contradicts the efforts of the United States and the European Union seeking to increase the use of biofuels.

We can not use biofuels without considering the needs of the poor and their access to land

Julia Marton-Lefèvre, IUCN Director General
Recent scientific evidence however states that they can only produce only marginal savings compared to conventional fuel and diesel.

And as has been demonstrated in Indonesia, forests are being felled for palm oil cultivation for biofuel production.

According to scientists, the evidence shows that leaving forests intact resulting in higher profits and at the same time protecting biodiversity.

"A big problem we have is that climate change negotiations never talk about biodiversity," says Julia Marton-Lefèvre.

"But this survey shows that the experts for biodiversity protection should guide efforts to combat climate change," he says.


little faith

Perhaps the most telling response to the survey is that even though experts say that climate change is the determinant of their professional activities, only 27% believe it is likely to reach agreement for 2009 . On the possible

components of a global agreement post Kyoto Protocol in 2012, a large majority (92%) favors the inclusion of all major carbon emitters in the world.


The conference intends to launch a two-year plan to reduce emissions further.
addition, 84% of respondents believe that rich countries must commit to provide support for technology transfer to developing countries to enable them to meet their goals.

77% believe that these goals should be mandatory and 76% believe it should be different types of commitment depending on the level of development of each country.

The conference is discussing a reduction emissions between 25 and 40% by 2020.

is an option that supports the European Union, but the United States, Australia, Canada and Japan are opposed to the inclusion of specific targets.

Perhaps that is why there is little hope that consensus can be achieved in the next three days.

"Certainly we achieve agreements that will now be the most important and for that we all expect the U.S. election," says Julia Marton-Lefèvre.

"Because we all know that without the U.S. commitment can not do much when we talk of a global system of emissions reduction."