Sustainability impacts of first-generation biofuels

Abstract

• First-generation biofuels can have several environmental and socioeconomic impacts. • Major impacts include greenhouse gas emissions, atmospheric pollution, water overconsumption and pollution, deforestation, biodiversity loss, rural development, food security, energy security, public health, and social conflicts. • The nature and the magnitude of biofuel impacts depend on the feedstock, the mode of feedstock production, the agricultural practices adopted during feedstock production, the environmental and socioeconomic context of biofuel production, the stage of the biofuel's life-cycle, and the policies in place during biofuel production, use, and trade. • Trade-offs are inevitable, but at least some of biofuels' negative impact can be mitigated through careful planning.