Correcting a fundamental error in greenhouse gas accounting related to bioenergy

Haberl, H; Sprinz, D; Bonazountas, M; Cocco, P; Desaubies, Y; Henze, M; Hertel, O; Johnson, RK; Kastrup, U; Laconte, P; Lange, E; Novak, P; Paavola, J; Reenberg, A; van den Hove, S; Vermeire, T; Wadhams, P; Searchinger, T

dc.contributor.author	Haberl, H	en
dc.contributor.author	Sprinz, D	en
dc.contributor.author	Bonazountas, M	en
dc.contributor.author	Cocco, P	en
dc.contributor.author	Desaubies, Y	en
dc.contributor.author	Henze, M	en
dc.contributor.author	Hertel, O	en
dc.contributor.author	Johnson, RK	en
dc.contributor.author	Kastrup, U	en
dc.contributor.author	Laconte, P	en
dc.contributor.author	Lange, E	en
dc.contributor.author	Novak, P	en
dc.contributor.author	Paavola, J	en
dc.contributor.author	Reenberg, A	en
dc.contributor.author	van den Hove, S	en
dc.contributor.author	Vermeire, T	en
dc.contributor.author	Wadhams, P	en
dc.contributor.author	Searchinger, T	en
dc.date.accessioned	2014-03-01T02:08:34Z
dc.date.available	2014-03-01T02:08:34Z
dc.date.issued	2012	en
dc.identifier.issn	03014215	en
dc.identifier.uri	https://dspace.lib.ntua.gr/xmlui/handle/123456789/29673
dc.subject	Bioenergy	en
dc.subject	Greenhouse gas accounting	en
dc.subject	Greenhouse gas emissions	en
dc.subject.other	Bio-energy	en
dc.subject.other	Carbon accumulation	en
dc.subject.other	Carbon emissions	en
dc.subject.other	Carbon sequestration	en
dc.subject.other	Human use	en
dc.subject.other	International policies	en
dc.subject.other	Plant growth	en
dc.subject.other	Plant material	en
dc.subject.other	Water withdrawal	en
dc.subject.other	Carbon	en
dc.subject.other	Fossil fuels	en
dc.subject.other	Gas emissions	en
dc.subject.other	Gas plants	en
dc.subject.other	Greenhouse gases	en
dc.subject.other	Water supply	en
dc.subject.other	Biomass	en
dc.subject.other	bioenergy	en
dc.subject.other	biomass	en
dc.subject.other	carbon emission	en
dc.subject.other	carbon sequestration	en
dc.subject.other	energy policy	en
dc.subject.other	error correction	en
dc.subject.other	fossil fuel	en
dc.subject.other	greenhouse gas	en
dc.title	Correcting a fundamental error in greenhouse gas accounting related to bioenergy	en
heal.type	journalArticle	en
heal.identifier.primary	10.1016/j.enpol.2012.02.051	en
heal.identifier.secondary	http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2012.02.051	en
heal.publicationDate	2012	en
heal.abstract	Many international policies encourage a switch from fossil fuels to bioenergy based on the premise that its use would not result in carbon accumulation in the atmosphere. Frequently cited bioenergy goals would at least double the present global human use of plant material, the production of which already requires the dedication of roughly 75% of vegetated lands and more than 70% of water withdrawals. However, burning biomass for energy provision increases the amount of carbon in the air just like burning coal, oil or gas if harvesting the biomass decreases the amount of carbon stored in plants and soils, or reduces carbon sequestration. Neglecting this fact results in an accounting error that could be corrected by considering that only the use of 'additional biomass' - biomass from additional plant growth or biomass that would decompose rapidly if not used for bioenergy - can reduce carbon emissions. Failure to correct this accounting flaw will likely have substantial adverse consequences. The article presents recommendations for correcting greenhouse gas accounts related to bioenergy. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd.	en
heal.journalName	Energy Policy	en
dc.identifier.doi	10.1016/j.enpol.2012.02.051	en
dc.identifier.volume	45	en
dc.identifier.spage	18	en
dc.identifier.epage	23	en