Bioenergy crops likely to be more invasive

Environmental-Expert.com
Source: European Commission, Environment DG
Jul. 10, 2009

Whilst there is interest in bioenergy as a renewable alternative to fossil fuels, there is also concern about its environmental impact. A recent study demonstrates that potential bioenergy crops in Hawaii are 2 to 4 times more likely to be invasive than other plants.

The EU climate action and renewable energy package has set a target of increasing the share of renewables in energy use to 20 per cent by 2020 which includes a minimum 10 per cent share for renewable energy in transport by 20201. The package sets out sustainability criteria for biofuels to ensure they deliver real environmental benefits. It is therefore important to establish methods to assess the environmental profile of a bioenergy crop before it is introduced to an area or planted extensively.
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