Ethanol to reduce global GHG emission by 100 million tons in 2012

The Global Renewable Fuels Alliance (GRFA) has released its annual Green House Gas (GHG) Reduction Forecast, which is forecasting global ethanol production to reduce GHG emissions by 100 million metric tons in 2012, writes GRFA 6 September 2012.

(S&T)2 Consultants Inc., an internationally renowned energy and environmental consulting firm, has produced data demonstrating the positive impact global ethanol production continues to have on reducing global GHG emissions. Figures reveal that world ethanol production in 2012 will reduce global GHG emissions by over 276,000 metric tons per day. Compared to 2011, this is an increase of more than 3000 metric tons per day in GHG reduction.

"This is all very good news because these figures clearly show that biofuels are continuing to play a critical role in reducing damaging GHG emissions around the world," stated Bliss Baker, spokesperson for the GRFA. "In the wake of the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development in Rio de Janeiro, this data confirms that to successfully combat climate change, biofuels must be part of our future energy mix."

Of note:

• In 2011, world ethanol production was 84.5 billion liters (22.32 billion gallons) and is estimated to have reduced GHG emissions by 99 million metric tons—a GHG reduction of more than 273,000 metric tons per day.
• In cooperation with F.O. Licht the GRFA is predicting global ethanol production in 2012 to grow by 1 % to over 85.2 billion litres. This increase in production will result in a 2 % growth in GHG reductions to over 100 million metric tons per year or 276,000 metric tons per day.
• GHG emission reductions of just over 100 million metric tons is the equivalent of approximately 20.2 million cars being taken off the road, comparable to the number of vehicles registered in Mexico or the total GHG emissions of the Philippines.