Biofuels are produced from biomass that can be shortly renewed
contrarily to fossil fuels. Emphasis has been put on biofuels for
transportation as this sector represents a major fast growing source of
anthropogenic greenhouse gases (GHG). Compared to fossil fuels, biofuels
emit less GHG, if CO2 savings through photosynthesis are not overwhelmed
by other GHG emissions throughout the biofuel life cycle. Life Cycle
Assessments (LCA) are therefore necessary to check for all polluting
emissions and potential environmental impacts. This book first reviews
the literature on biofuels, their GHG impact, and the reasons why
results of biofuel LCA vary critically among published studies. It then
presents the results of research works on how to improve the modelling
of GHG emissions in agricultural fields and how to increase the
relevance of biofuel LCA from agricultural feedstock by taking into
account the local production factors. From a broader overview on
bioenergy to a specific scientific insight into the determinism of GHG
emissions, this book should help shed some light on biofuels for a large
public and should be especially useful to professionals in Bioenergy and
Environment fields.