Bioenergy crops should respect environmental sustainability

by S. C.

The increase of biofuel cropping systems may lead to cultivation escapes of invasive taxa with subsequent negative effect on native biological diversity, especially on the Mediterranean area. The Standing Committee of the Bern Convention (the Council of Europe Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats) worried about that, and adopted advices to reduce impacts of potentially invasive alien plants being used as biofuel crops on species biodiversity and natural ecosystems, according to the Recommendation No. 141, 2009. The Italian Institute for Environmental Protection (ISPRA), prompted the recommendation with a report submitted to the Bern Convention, also drawing attention to the fact that sustainable development and environmental benefits can be jointly achieved only when biofuel crops are farmed in an environmentally sustainable manner.

In addition EU Directive (2009/28/EC) ‘on the promotion of the use of renewable energy” calls on states to monitor the impact of biomass cultivation, such as through land use changes, including displacement and introduction of invasive alien species and other effects on biodiversity.

by S. C.
20 May 2010 Teatro Naturale International n. 5 Year 2

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