Elaboration of the methodological referential for life cycle analysis of first generation biofuels in the French context

This study was made under the particular context of a strong growth of biofuels market, and the implication of French and European public authorities, and certain Member States (Germany, Netherlands, UK), for the development of certification schemes for first generation biofuels. The elaboration of such schemes requires a consensus on the methodology to apply when producing Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) of biofuels. To answer this demand, the study built up the methodological referential for biofuels LCAs in order to assess the Greenhouse Gases (GHG) emissions, fossil fuels consumptions and local atmospheric pollutants emissions induced by the different biofuel production pathways. The work consisted in methodological engineering, and was accomplished thanks to the participation of all the members of the Technical Committee of the study. An initial bibliographic review on biofuels LCAs allowed the identification of the main methodological issues (listed below). For each point, the impact of the methodological choices on the biofuels environmental balances was assessed by several sensitivity analyses. The results of these analyses were taken into account for the elaboration of the recommendations: - Consideration of the environmental burdens associated with buildings, equipments and their maintenance - Quantification of nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from fields - Impact of the Land Use Change (LUC) - Allocation method for the distribution of the environmental impacts of biofuel production pathways between the different products and coproducts generated. Within the framework of this study, we made no distinction in terms of methodological approach between GHG emissions and local pollutants emissions. This results from the fact that the methodological issues cover all the environmental burdens and do not require specific approaches. This executive summary presents the methodological aspects related to biofuels LCAs. The complete report of the study presents in addition methodological issues specific to fossil fuels pathways. The study was commissioned by the ADEME - Departement Bio-resources, the Minister of Agriculture and Fishing, the ONIGC, the IFP and the Minister of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Land Settlement (DGEMP, D4E, DPPR). A Committee was set up to provide a technical support for the analysis of the methodological issues, in order to reach a consensus for the elaboration of the recommendations presented in this document. This Committee involved representatives of the biofuels and petroleum pathways (PROLEA, BENP, Cristal Union, Lyondell and TOTAL), representatives of Technical Institutes (ARVALIS, CETIOM, ITB, ITERG), representatives of the National Institute for Agronomical Research, representatives of the car industry (PSA, Renault), representatives of a waste-treatment company (VEOLIA), representatives of an association for the protection of environment (Reseau Action Climat) and representatives of a Union of Cooperatives (COOP. IN VIVO)