Critical Flaw in Kyoto Protocol's Carbon Emissions Calculation Could Undermine Climate Treaty's Goal

A group of climate scientists has identified a critical flaw in the way the Kyoto Protocol calculates carbon emissions from biofuels, which could undermine the treaty's goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The current exemption of tailpipe and smokestack emissions from biofuels from a country's total carbon emissions, regardless of their source, is a serious error that could lead to deforestation and exacerbate climate change. The scientists, led by 13 experts in climate change and land use, recommend that all emissions from burning fuels be counted, and that a system be developed to apply carbon credits to biofuels based on their actual emissions reduction.

Key Takeaways:

• The Kyoto Protocol's exemption of biofuel emissions from a country's total carbon emissions is a critical flaw that could undermine the treaty's goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
• The exemption applies to biofuels regardless of their source, including those produced from clear-cut forests and fertilized with nitrous oxide-releasing chemicals.
• Biofuels are often considered carbon-neutral, but this assumption may be incorrect, as the net emissions from biofuels can be significantly higher than those from fossil fuels.
• The study found that carbon emissions from displacing food crops or pastures to grow biofuels may be twice as great as those from land dedicated to bioenergy production.
• The error is serious but readily fixable, according to the scientists, who recommend counting all emissions from burning fuels and developing a system to apply carbon credits to biofuels.
• The report's authors have called for proper evaluation of biofuels in the lead-up to the Copenhagen climate treaty negotiations.

Statistics:

• The study found that carbon emissions from displacing food crops or pastures to grow biofuels may be twice as great as those from land dedicated to bioenergy production.
• According to research cited by the authors, applying the biofuels exemption worldwide could lead to deforestation as countries try to reach their carbon targets.
• The U.S. Department of Energy study cited by the authors found that global deforestation could increase by 12% by 2030 due to increased demand for biofuels.

Sources:

• Science Express article by 13 climate change and land use experts, publishing this week
• U.S. Department of Energy study, cited in the article
• Princeton University Research on biofuels and climate change