A review and analysis of sustainable issues related to liquid biofuels.

Abstract: Most of the time when developing policies for the promotion of future biofuel, the social dimension of sustainable development is neglected. But it is important to incorporate both social and economic issues along with environmental issues for a successful sustainability strategy because sustainable development depends on all three aspects of sustainability. This paper focuses on the sustainable development of liquid biofuel for the transport sector.The global transport sector is booming as is the need for energy. With the growing concern about climate change, governments of developed countries have been implementing different policy directives to promote biofuel as an alternative source of energy. But strategies implemented to fulfill the target of mitigating effects of climate change have exposed negative effects of liquid biofuels on both environment and society. This paper reviewed information on liquid biofuels and their effects on environment, society and economy and analyzed them from a sustainable development point of view. Although scientists have developed biofuels through advanced technology that seem to have less negative effects than traditional biofuels, they are still on a trial basis. In addition to this the effects of these biofuels are also need to be tested on a commercial basis in order to ensure their sustainability. Due to these considerations the process of switching from traditional biofuel to advanced biofuels will require time. It is imperative to develop sustainable ways of production and use of available biofuels which do not harm nature or exploit vulnerable communities. Biofuel policies also need to be studied thoroughly in order to find weaknesses and pitfalls. Although numerous studies related to specific issue like indirect land use change, GHG emission, biofuel policies or the biofuel market etc. have been conducted, it is rare to find a study that takes into consideration of all three aspects (economy, society and environment) of sustainable development. After reviewing and analyzing the literature, this thesis has come to a conclusion that the potential of liquid biofuel in the future transport sector is unlimited. But due to the negative effects on environment and society it has not achieved sustainability. Moreover the expense of production and lack of investment in the sector has made it economically unsustainable. But, it is possible to change the scenario by implementing proper policies in a way that the social and environmental issues that happened in the past do not happen again and the sector can achieve sustainability.