University of Vaasa - Vaasan yliopisto

Figure 1. Cradle-to-grave grave approach. Figure 2. Cradle-to--cradle
approach.
As yet there is no general agreement even of the criteria of environmental LCAs. For
example the LCA section of the first version of the Nordic Swan Ecolabel covers
only greenhouse emissions and energy use (Nordic Council of Ministers 20 2008).
Comparative LCA research in the area has focussed on comparing some biofuels to
some fossil fuels. For example, SenterNovem (2008), an agency of the Dutch
Ministry of Economic Affairs, commissioned a biofuel LCA, which compared
bioethanol from wheat to gasoline and MTBE, and biodiesel from rapeseed to diesel.
On the other hand, analyses of greenhouse gas emissions from biofuels have been
conducted (e.g. Delucchi 2006, Farrel et al. 2006, International Energy Agency
2004). In addition, Hill et al. (200 (2006) have made environmental, economic, and
energetic cost/benefit analyses of biodiesel and ethanol biofuels. In conclusion,
partial LCAs of a number of biofuels have been carried out, particularly a variety of
environmental LCAs, but also some economic cos cost/benefit t/benefit analyses.
A holistic sustainability LCA comparison of biofuels made of the most common
plants and wastes is still missing. This paper demonstrates the findings of the first
part of this major endeavour: views from a company, industry associatio associations, a
research institution, and a non non-governmental organization of the environmental,
social, cultural and economic impacts of different biofuels during their life cycles.
Semi-structured structured interviews were conducted in August and September 2009.
The Interviewees iewees were:
Company: Simo Honkanen, Neste Oil;
Industry Associations ssociations: Ahti Fagerblom, Finnish Forest Industries Federation;
Mia Wallen, Finnish Energy Industries (ET).
Research Institution nstitution: Pirkko Vesterinen,VTT Technical ical Research Centre of Finland
Non-Governmental Governmental OOrganization:
Maija Suomela, Greenpeace Finland.
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