Sustainability considerations about microalgae for biodiesel production

Abstract

This chapter describes how to perform a sustainability evaluation of microalgae biodiesel through its supply chain. A framework for selecting sustainability indicators that take into account all three dimensions of sustainability: economic, societal and environmental, is presented. Special attention is given to a useful definition of the boundary for the system and to the identification of the relevant impacts associated with the biodiesel supply chain stages. A set of sustainability indicators is proposed for quantitative sustainability assessment, based on the impacts deemed relevant for each supply chain stage. Some qualitative arguments are also presented to support the evaluation. Although microalgae appear to be superior in some respects to other currently used feedstocks, the development of large-scale microalgae production systems still needs further research.