In the biofuel discussion, water has not received the attention it deserves. It is high time it does. Pursuing biofuels in water short countries turns green energy into a blue threat.

A scenario analysis by the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) indicates that biofuels will add to the strain on already stressed water resources. Biofuel production will increase demand for land at the expense of nature.  It will also require large quantities of water, already a major constraint to agriculture in many parts of the world. An estimated 40% of the world’s population lives in areas where water scarcity must be reckoned with. IWMI’s research under the Comprehensive Assessment of Water Mangement in Agriculture   shows that at a global average, the biomass needed to produce one litre of biofuel evaporates between 1000 and 3,500 liters of water, under prevailing conversion techniques.

IWMI uses the WATERSIM model consisting of two integrated hydrological and economic modules to support its analysis. Using this model, IWMI has explored the water and land implications of increased biofuel production globally with a special focus on two countries : India and China. In India more than 60% of the cereals are irrigated. In China, more than 70%. Almost all Indian sugarcane - the crop that India uses to produce ethanol - and about 45% of Chinese maize – China’s main biofuel crop - is irrigated. Both countries, responding to severe water shortages, initiated large projects to transfer water from water abundant to water short areas. These projects are controversial because of their costs, environmental impacts, and number of displaced people by big dams. Unless other less water intensive alternatives are considered, biofuels are not environmentally sustainable. Discussions on biofuel energy should put green energy into a blue context and take water issues into account.

For more information see:
www.scidev.net/content/opinions/eng/biofuel-crops-could-drain-developing-world-dry.cfm

www.iwmi.cgiar.org/EWMA/files/papers/Biofuels%20-%20Charlotte.pdf

Also see :
Linkages between Energy and Water Management for Agriculture in Developing Countries - Conference Papers (January 2007)