The economic production factor soil. Sandra Boekhold, TCB

Transcription

1 The economic production factor soil in a biobasedeconomy Sandra Boekhold, TCB

2 What is TCB? What is TCB? TCB: Soil Protection Technical Committee - based on the soil protection act - an independent scientific advisory board for the Dutch government - on technical aspects of soil policy - 10 scientists - a chair from public government - a secretariat Recent advisory reports: - on groundwater (see presentation Jaap Tuinstra yesterday) - on soil and climate change, (see poster by Ceciel Gribling) - see for more on TCB April 18, 2013 AquaConSoil, Barcelona

3 Outline Biobased economy Available soil on earth Sustainable use of (soil) ecosystem services Report: Effects of a growing demand for biomass on soils April 18, 2013 AquaConSoil, Barcelona

4 Biobased economy Circular economy: use of renewable agricultural raw materials for production for food, feed, biomaterials, bioenergy and biofuels Infinite biomass production is an illusion; due to scarcity of land, nutrients and energy If 30 percent replacement of fossil fuels by green materials in 2050: Annually 20 billion tons of biomass necessary Current annual biomass production is an estimated 11 billion tons (food, feed, wood for cooking and heating, building materials, cotton, paper and other traditonal materials) April 18, 2013 AquaConSoil, Barcelona

5 Need to double biomass production, but Growing global population, from 7 billion people now to 9 billion in 2050 Shift towards a more protein rich diet Intensified use of natural resources like soils, water and nutrients Need for more AND a more efficient use of agricultural products April 18, 2013 AquaConSoil, Barcelona

6 Where does this biomass comes from? Soil is the base April 18, 2013 AquaConSoil, Barcelona 6

7 How much soil do we have available on earth? 25% too cold for agriculture 25% too dry for biomass production 26% too steep, vulnerable for erosion 5% too wet for most crops So: Only 23% suitable for agriculture Of which already 50% is in use for agriculture April 18, 2013 AquaConSoil, Barcelona 7

8 Consequences biobased economy Nutrients are valuables, we need to close nutrient cycles Soil produces economic commodities A green economy is dependent on healthy soils April 18, 2013 AquaConSoil, Barcelona 8

9 Sustainable use of (soil) ecosystem services How can we sustainably use the ecosystem services of soils for Energy supply Climate mitigation and adaptation Health and human wellbeing Environmental quality in an urbanizing world Provisioning of food Water management: not too much, not too little, good quality Nature conservation and development April 18, 2013 AquaConSoil, Barcelona 9

10 Effectsof a growingdemandof biomassonsoils Research report by CE Delft, By Harry Croezen, Ingrid Odegard, Geert Bergsma and Hans Langeveld, available in Dutch, see AquaConSoil paper for English summary Research question: the impact of several biobased production chains on: * Organic matter * Nutrients * Water use * Ecotoxicity (due to persicide use) * Green house gas emissions * Land use changes April 18, 2013 AquaConSoil, Barcelona 10

11 Soil Quality Indicators Soil quality indicators are expressed in two units that express volumes in a bio-based economy: 1. Gross replacement of fossil energy in gigajoules Gross refers to the fact that the amount of energy necessary to produce the bio-based products and fuels is not corrected for. This is comparable to production losses of fossil resources, which are also not accounted for 2. Net CO 2 emission reduction over the whole biomass production chain April 18, 2013 AquaConSoil, Barcelona

12 Biomass Production Chains A total of 11 biomass production chains were evaluated. Five biomass production chains for ethanol: 1. Sugar cane with different cultivation methods 2. Maize 3. Wheat 4. Wheat straw chains that differ in use of byproducts 5. Sugar beet chains that differ in cultivation area Three biomass production chains for biodiesel (Fatty Acid Methyl Esters; FAME): 6. Rape 7. Palm oil 8. Soy Three biomass production chains for electricity and heat: 9. Forestry residues with different uses 10. Silage maize with several uses 11. SRC (Short Rotation Coppice) with several uses April 18, 2013 AquaConSoil, Barcelona

13 Soil Organic Matter balance SRC for industrial heat SRC for space heating SRC for CFBC Maize and manure CHP Maize silage CHP Maize and manure, green gas production Maize silage, green gas production Forestry residues, CFBC Forestry residues, industrial heat Forestry residues, space heating Rape seed FAME Palm oil FAME Sugar beet ethanol (sand) Sugar beet ethanol (clay) Straw ethanol (lignin burned) Straw ethanol (lignin returned) Wheat ethanol (straw on field) Soy FAME Maize ethanol Sugar cane ethanol (top+leaves left) Sugar cane ethanol (top+leaves burned) April 18, kg/gj

14 Nutrient consumption per CO2-eq reduction SRC for industrial heat SRC for space heating SRC for CFBC Maize and manure CHP Maize silage CHP Maize and manure, green gas production Maize silage, green gas production Sugar beet ethanol (sand) Sugar beet ethanol (clay) Straw ethanol (lignin burned) Straw ethanol (lignin returned) Wheat ethanol (straw on field) Soy FAME Maize ethanol Sugar cane ethanol (top+leaves left) Sugar cane ethanol (top+leaves burned) April 18, g NPK/kg CO2 reduction

15 Conclusions Large differences between biomass production chains when expressed as a function of CO 2 emission reduction Biomass for transport uses four times more fertilizer per avoided emission of CO 2 equivalent More risk of loss of soil organic matter in the production chains for transport fuels Use biomass for electricity, heat and raw materials, not for transport fuels April 18, 2013 AquaConSoil, Barcelona

16 Conclusions on policy development Best biomass production chains regarding soil quality aspects: ethanol from sugarcane (without burning), wheat straw for ethanol (when returning the lignin), SRC chains, the use of silage maize for biogas Agricultural management practices matter Differences in cultivation and harvesting methods are important for nutrient use and organic matter content Crop selection does matter Selection of biomass production chains differ in soil quality effects April 18, 2013 AquaConSoil, Barcelona

17 Policy recommendations Develop mandatory criteria to guarantee the sustainability of biomass production Reward good soil and farm management in policy targets and subsidies Limit the use of agricultural residues in a bio-based economy, some of it is necessary to sustain soil fertility What s next? Prepare an advisory report for the Dutch government April 18, 2013 AquaConSoil, Barcelona

18 Thank you for your attention April 18, 2013 AquaConSoil, Barcelona