11
© The Editor(s) (if applicable) and the Author(s) 2018
K. Takeuchi et al. (eds.), Biofuels and Sustainability, Science for Sustainable
Societies, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-4-431-54895-9_2
Chapter 2
Approach to Biofuel Issues
from the Perspective of Sustainability
Science Studies
Hirotaka Matsuda and Kazuhiko Takeuchi
2.1 Introduction
Biofuels have been increasing in popularity, since they are promising substitutes for
fossil fuels and are expected to contribute to reductions in greenhouse gas (GHG)
emissions. Moreover, the production of biofuels is a means of alleviating poverty
and developing both rural and agricultural areas. However, many researchers and
institutions, such as the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development
(OCED) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), voice scientific scepticism about the expected contributions of biofuel use. They also stress that the production and use of biofuels will lead to deforestation, water supply contamination
and water depletion. The production and use of biofuels will have enormous impacts
on the environment, the economy and the society. Clearly, these impacts are multitiered and complex. Therefore, strategies for biofuel use must be established through
comprehensive analyses and scientific evaluations, with consideration given to
complex socioeconomic issues, in order to achieve global sustainability. It is also
important to consider that optimum solutions among boundary levels, such as
global, regional and national levels, may vary and that these strategies must be coordinated in order to meet the demands of different optimum solutions. From this
perspective, an interdisciplinary and integrated approach is best. However, many
H. Matsuda (*)
Graduate Program in Sustainability Science – Global Leadership Initiative (GPSS-GLI),
Graduate School of Frontier Sciences/Integrated Research System for Sustainability Science
(IR3S), Institutes for Advanced Study (UTIAS), The University of Tokyo,
7-3-1, Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8654, Japan
e-mail: matsuda@k.u-tokyo.ac.jp
K. Takeuchi
Integrated Research System for Sustainability Science (IR3S), Institutes for Advanced Study
(UTIAS), The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES), Kanagawa, Japan
© The Editor(s) (if applicable) and the Author(s) 2018
K. Takeuchi et al. (eds.), Biofuels and Sustainability, Science for Sustainable
Societies, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-4-431-54895-9_2
Chapter 2
Approach to Biofuel Issues
from the Perspective of Sustainability
Science Studies
Hirotaka Matsuda and Kazuhiko Takeuchi
2.1 Introduction
Biofuels have been increasing in popularity, since they are promising substitutes for
fossil fuels and are expected to contribute to reductions in greenhouse gas (GHG)
emissions. Moreover, the production of biofuels is a means of alleviating poverty
and developing both rural and agricultural areas. However, many researchers and
institutions, such as the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development
(OCED) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), voice scientific scepticism about the expected contributions of biofuel use. They also stress that the production and use of biofuels will lead to deforestation, water supply contamination
and water depletion. The production and use of biofuels will have enormous impacts
on the environment, the economy and the society. Clearly, these impacts are multitiered and complex. Therefore, strategies for biofuel use must be established through
comprehensive analyses and scientific evaluations, with consideration given to
complex socioeconomic issues, in order to achieve global sustainability. It is also
important to consider that optimum solutions among boundary levels, such as
global, regional and national levels, may vary and that these strategies must be coordinated in order to meet the demands of different optimum solutions. From this
perspective, an interdisciplinary and integrated approach is best. However, many
H. Matsuda (*)
Graduate Program in Sustainability Science – Global Leadership Initiative (GPSS-GLI),
Graduate School of Frontier Sciences/Integrated Research System for Sustainability Science
(IR3S), Institutes for Advanced Study (UTIAS), The University of Tokyo,
7-3-1, Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8654, Japan
e-mail: matsuda@k.u-tokyo.ac.jp
K. Takeuchi
Integrated Research System for Sustainability Science (IR3S), Institutes for Advanced Study
(UTIAS), The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES), Kanagawa, Japan