Climat 2050 - C. Biocarburants

CLIMAT 2050	PROGRAMME	PARTICIPANTS
Objectifs Organisateurs	Conférence Événements spéciaux Documents de référence	Inscription Renseignements utiles	Salle de presse Contactez-nous English

C. Biocarburants

25 octobre 2007

Devant le succès spectaculaire de l'éthanol au Brésil, d'autres pays se tournent vers les biocarburants en vue de réduire leurs émissions et leur dépendance aux importations de pétrole. Alors que les scientifiques et les investisseurs œuvrent au développement de la nouvelle génération de technologies du biocarburant, le principal défi des décideurs sera d’obtenir des retombées énergétiques et climatiques positives sans toutefois provoquer une hausse du prix des aliments ou générer de nouveaux risques environnementaux.

Tom Browne
Biographie

Tom Browne, Directeur de programme, Mise en pâte mécanique et durabilité, Paprican, Canada

Alex Farrell
Biographie

Alex FARRELL, Assistant Professeur, Energy and Resources Group, Université de Californie, Berkeley, États-unis

Titre

How biofuels can contribute to solving the climate change problem

Résumé

Biofuel production has risen rapidly in the last few years, driven by government mandates, regulation, and subsidies, as well as by high petroleum prices. However, current biofuel feedstocks are standard agricultural commodities (e.g. corn and soybeans) and the fuels themselves have significant technical drawbacks, including modest (if any) reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. If biofuels are to contribute to solving the climate problem, new feedstocks and new molecules will be needed, as well as a new industry that is not built on the model of highly subsidized agriculture. In addition, the use of productive land for low-GHG biofuels may not be feasible. Fortunately, many new molecules and production processes are being developed, including some that will require little or no productive land for feedstocks. This talk will sketch today's biofuel industry and describe how it could be transformed in the future to address the climate change problem.

Jesse S. Fleming
Biographie

Jesse S. FLEMING, Conseiller technique, Politiques et programmes sur les carburants, Ressources naturelles Canada

Titre

Integrating innovative technologies and policies for biofuels

Résumé

Global transportation energy use and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are increasing. Extensive reductions by 2050 will require a paradigm shift. Within the greater context of the transportation system, biofuels have significant potential to contribute to fossil energy and GHG emission reductions.

The presentation will start by looking at innovative transportation fuel policies in various jurisdictions to highlight the dynamic nature of the present situation. The focus will then shift to Canada's Renewable Fuels Strategy as a reminder that a strong policy and program foundation is necessary for long-term biofuel success. The final segment will explore a few ideas on what should be considered when designing a long-term framework for transportation fuel policy.