Brussels, 09/11/2009 (Agence Europe) - A study carried out by the US Marine Biology Laboratory, published on 22 October, has cast doubt on 2nd generation biofuels, the preferred energy and climate policy option of many, especially the EU, since 1st generation biofuels, made from agricultural products (ethanol from cane sugar or maize, biodiesel from soya, palm oil or rape seed) were heavily criticised for taking over agricultural land needed for food production and for their less than clear climatic effects. According to the study, 2nd generation biofuels made from cellulose (wood, straw and leaves) will indirectly lead to more carbon emissions than petrol per unit of energy, on average over the period from 2000 to 2030. The explanation put forward by the Laboratory is that the land needed to cultivate fast-growing trees and leaves will displace food crops and lead to deforestation in efforts to find space for new agricultural areas, and this will cause vast emissions of greenhouse gases. Furthermore, biofuels crops require the use of nitrogenous fertilisers which cause greenhouse gas, CO2 and nitrogen oxide emissions. The report, however, does not deny the role that 2nd generation biofuels will play in tackling climate change. (E.H./transl.rt)