The impact of biofuel feedstock production on water resources: a developing country perspective

Worldwide, the demand for energy has grown rapidly over the past decade, resulting in oil prices peaking during 2008 and again in 2011. Utilizing the potential for the production of fuels from alternative sources has been a priority for many countries, particularly the developed countries of Europe and America. The production of ethanol and diesel from vegetable biomass and oils, (i.e. biofuels) has been promoted as an environmentally friendly alternative to oil-based fuels. However, many have warned against the rush to plant large areas of land for bioenergy production, warning against, inter alia, potential consequences for loss of food production, questions about the sustainability of many initiatives and, very importantly, queries about the water use of bioenergy production, from the crop growth to the final synthesis of the liquid fuel and the inputs required. Many analyses of biofuel feedstock production potential are undertaken at macro levels, based on average conditions. However, the reality is that in many developing countries, particularly those of Africa, consideration of biofuel production and its sustainability requires specific consideration of the high natural variability of climatic and other factors governing its production and impact. In this paper, perspectives on the water resources aspects of large-scale biofuel feedstock production in sub-Saharan Africa are provided and the approach taken by South Africa in this regard is described. © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd