Biofuels : saving the environment

Last December 20, in Saskatoon (Sask.), the government of Stephen Harper announced a series of measures that will help reduce global warming. While the use of renewable fuels in the country will be regulated, money will be invested to pursue new market openings for agricultural bioproducts.

The ministry of the Environment decided to impose an average level of renewable fuel in gasoline and diesel fuel by 2012. Then, the ministry of Agriculture and Agri-Food announced a $345 million investment to promote biofuel and bioproduct manufacturing.

A variety of fuels
What is a renewable fuel? It's a fuel created from renewable resources like agricultural crops or some organic substances. Ethanol, for instance, is made from corn. As for biodiesel, vegetable oils and animal fat are used. Other kinds of renewable fuels are currently being produced using non-food agricultural residues, such as wheat straw and wood biomass.

Benefits for the environment and agriculture
No less than 27 percent of greenhouse gas emissions in Canada come from transportation. In this field of activity, emissions will have to be reduced by 4 megatons a year. Compared to gasoline, the use of corn-based ethanol could account for up to 40 percent of that goal. The same goes with biodiesel in comparison with traditional diesel (60 percent reduction).

The increase in renewable fuel production will create a greater demand for raw materials and open new markets for the Canadian agricultural industry. Farmers will become important players in biofuel production and therefore increase their profits.

Concrete measures for the auto industry
Applying these measures won't be an easy task. The federal government will likely take two years to meet with representatives from each province and territory as well as the companies and individuals concerned. However, the main goals that have been set for the auto industry are as follow:

• Incorporate 5 percent of renewable fuel in gasoline by 2010, which represents 2.1 billion liters;
• Incorporate 2 percent of renewable fuel in diesel by 2012, which represents 600 million liters.