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Canola biodiesel reduces greenhouse gas

Dec. 1, 2010 – New data from one of the foremost experts on Lifecycle Analysis demonstrates clearly that that the Canadian biofuels industry can count on Canadian canola for sustainable production and conversion to biodiesel.

The report, Lifecycle Analysis Canola Biodiesel, was released today by Robert Hunter, vice-president, Canola Council of Canada (CCC) at the Canadian Renewable Fuels Association (CFRA) Summit in Ottawa. The report was prepared by Don O'Connor of (S&T)2 Consultants Inc. in Vancouver.

According to the report, canola biodiesel reduces lifecycle greenhouse gas (GHG) by 90 percent compared to fossil diesel.

"These findings support the federal government’s investment in the biofuels industry, both in terms of building Canada’s renewable fuel production capacity, and implementing renewable fuel standards," Hunter told the CFRA.

The term lifecycle analysis (LCA) refers to the major activities in the course of a product’s life span from seed to tailpipe, that is, from the gathering of raw materials from earth to create a product, to the point when all materials are returned to the earth.

The LCA in the report uses a highly credible model originally developed by the Government of Canada called GHGenius. It is capable of analyzing the energy balance and emissions of many contaminants associated with the production and use of traditional and alternative transportation tools.

"Countries around the world are implementing biofuel sustainability policies and here we have a report that clearly demonstrates that Canadian canola can be a leader," Hunter said.

For more information visit: http://www.canolacouncil.org/

November 30, 1999  By Canola Council of Canada