The impacts of U.S. biofuel policy on deforestation in Malaysia and Indonesia are found to be insignificant, according to the latest research from from Purdue University. The research also confirms there is no shortage of fats and oils used to make biodiesel, and no shortage of land in the US for producing farm commodities.
Farzad Taheripour, a research associate professor in Purdue agricultural economics, worked with the late Wally Tyner on modeling environmental impacts of energy policy for over a decade. Together, with various collaborators and researchers, they developed the GTAP-BIO model for CARB to quantify the market-mediated impacts of the California Low Carbon Fuel Standard and the national Renewable Fuel Standard. Taheripour accepted the Biodiesel Pioneer Award this year on behalf of Dr. Tyner, who passed away last summer.
Don Scott, director of sustainability for the National Biodiesel Board, talks about the new research, honoring Dr. Tyner, and the importance of science for the future of biodiesel.
NBB2020 Interview with Don Scott, NBB Director of Sustainability (5:58)