Features Alternative Fuels Energy
Study: Biofuels reduce GHGs by 123.5 M tonnes

Dec. 9, 2009, Toronto – Just in time for the critical climate talks now
underway in Copenhagen, new data once again confirms significant greenhouse
gas (GHG) reductions from global biofuels production.

Dec. 9, 2009, Toronto – Just in time for the critical climate talks now
underway in Copenhagen, new data once again confirms significant greenhouse
gas (GHG) reductions from global biofuels production.

Prepared by (S&T)2 Consultants Inc., an internationally recognized
energy and environmental consulting firm, the report demonstrates that world
biofuels production in 2009 has reduced global GHG emissions by 123.5 million
tonnes representing an average reduction of 57 per cent compared to the
emissions that would have occurred from the production and use of equal
quantities of petroleum fuels.

“This landmark report proves yet again that biofuels production and use
is already playing a vital, yet too often overlooked, role in reducing harmful
GHG emissions around the globe,” said Global Renewable Fuels Alliance (GRFA) spokesperson Bliss Baker.

“In light of the ongoing United Nations Framework Convention on Climate
Change Conference in Copenhagen, today’s report is evidence that biofuels are
and must continue to be on the front line of the Climate Change fight,”
declared Baker.

Of note, the report found:

• World biofuel production has surpassed 100 billion litres of annual
production in 2009. After accounting for energy contents, this is displacing
1.15 million barrels of crude oil per day, which creates approximately 215
million tonnes of GHG emissions annually.

• In 2009, world ethanol production of 73.7 billion litres is estimated
to reduce GHG emissions by 87.6 million tonnes – approximately the same as the
total GHG emissions reported for Austria in 2007.

• With respect to biodiesel, forecast global production of 16.4 billion
litres will reduce GHG emissions by 35.9 million tonnes – greater than the GHG
emissions reported for Croatia in 2007.

• The combined GHG emissions reduction from global ethanol and biodiesel
production of 123.5 million tonnes represents an average reduction of 57 per
cent compared to the emissions that would have occurred from the production and
use of equal quantities of petroleum fuels. This is equal to the national GHG
emissions of Belguim or Greece, or the combined emissions of Monaco,
Liechtenstein, Iceland, Latvia, Luxembourg, Slovenia, Estonia, Lithuania and
Croatia.

The study utilized a “life cycle assessment” (LCA) approach to estimate
global GHG emissions reduction achieved through the production and use of
biofuels from “cradle-to-grave”, including the acquisition of raw materials,
manufacture, transport, use, maintenance and final disposal.

The full study, entitled GHG Emission Reductions from World Biofuel
Production and Use, can be downloaded at www.globalrfa.org. Production data was
compiled by FO Lichts. The report was commissioned by the Global Renewable
Fuels Alliance.

The Global Renewable Fuels Alliance is a non-profit
organization dedicated to promoting biofuels friendly policies internationally.
Alliance members represent over 65 per cent of the global biofuels production
from 44 countries. Through the development of new technologies and best
practices, the Alliance members are committed to producing renewable fuels with
the smallest possible footprint.