Global biofuel production potentially exacerbating worldwide food shortages and social disparities
The shipping industry is under increasing pressure to transition towards sustainable energy sources, as it accounts for 3% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, a level comparable to industrial powerhouses like Germany or Japan. With the April deadline for finalizing measures rapidly approaching, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) is considering a "global fuel standard" that would require ships to use lower-emission fuels during the transition to zero-emission alternatives.
However, experts warn that relying on biofuels in the shipping industry could negatively impact global food security and fail to advance decarbonization. A recent study projects that biofuels could power up to 76% of global shipping activity by 2040 if included in the IMO's global fuel standard. This could drive up food prices, making it harder for vulnerable populations to access sufficient nutrition.
Moreover, the effects of such land-use change could negate any emissions savings from switching away from fossil fuels. Cultivating crops for biofuels would require about 35 million additional hectares of land by 2030, equivalent to the land area of Germany or Zimbabwe. This large-scale monocropping uses huge amounts of water and polluting fertilizers, threatening future food production.
Some IMO members, notably Brazil, advocate for biofuels to be central to this initiative, as Brazil is a major producer of crop-based biofuels. However, Jennifer Clapp, an expert panel member at the IPES-Food think tank and Professor at the University of Waterloo, Canada, argues that this approach could undermine the health and well-being of people and the planet for years or even decades to come.
Instead, the shipping industry's transition towards new energy solutions needs to be equitable. Denmark and the United Kingdom are actively involved in integrated renewable energy approaches, including combined heat and power (KWK) and renewable energies, which could give them a competitive advantage in areas such as integrated biofuel strategies within the International Maritime Organization framework. Denmark is noted for its early adoption of district heating systems, enhancing its position.
Olivier De Schutter, UN Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights and co-chair of IPES-Food, emphasizes the need for a carbon levy on shipping emissions to generate revenues for the industry's transition towards new energy solutions. This approach would ensure a fair and sustainable transition for all stakeholders.
As the shipping industry faces this critical decision, it is clear that a balanced approach is necessary to ensure both environmental sustainability and social equity. The industry must look beyond biofuels and invest in truly sustainable energy sources to secure a future that benefits all.
