The natural resource base, on which the quality-of-life of our societies is built, is in danger of overexploitation and collapse. Based on an analysis of the current situation in the development of resource use indicators, and a qualitative evaluation of existing indicators against a set of criteria developed by Friends of the Earth, a suggestion …
Driving to destruction: The impacts of Europe’s biofuel plans on carbon emissions and land
This study analyses the likely impacts on land use and greenhouse gas emissions of biofuel use by 2020. It includes evidence on size and impacts of ‘indirect land use change’ resulting from biofuel use. It is the most comprehensive study to date to quantify these effects. It reveals that the EU’s plans for biofuels will …
Driving to destruction: The impacts of Europe’s biofuel plans on carbon emissions and landRead more
Nanotechnology, climate and energy: over-heated promises and hot air
The report details the complexity of nanotechnology and demonstrates that current uses fail to deliver benefits for global warming, resource depletion and pollution, but instead increase energy use and create environmental risks. Nanotechnology will not significantly increase energy efficiency, or help tackle climate change in its current form.
Nanotechnology, climate and energy: over-heated promises and hot airRead more
Jatropha: Money doesn’t grow on trees
The much-touted biofuel crop jatropha isneither a profitable nor a sustainable investment, according to this report. The report warns investors away from jatropha – a shrub being increasingly planted for its oil-producing fruits and ability to survive in arid conditions – stating growing evidence that the crop is failing to deliver on its promises while …
From Forest to Fork: How cattle, soy and sugar are destroying Brazil’s forests and damaging the climate
Growing demand for meat, animal feeds and agrofuels in Europe is contributing to the continued destruction of the Amazon and Cerrado habitats in Brazil. ‘From Forest to Fork’ takes the most recent data available and finds that the European Union is the fourth biggest global importer of Brazilian meat and one of the main markets …
Europe’s land import dependency
New research commissioned by Friends of the Earth Europe from Sustainable Europe Research Institute (SERI) shows the scale of flows of ‘virtual land’ around the world – this is all the land that has been used to produce traded products. Europe’s ‘land footprint’ is one of the largest in the world, and the continent is …