title: A meta-analytic review of life cycle assessment and flow analyses studies of palm oil biodiesel.
abstract: This work reviews and performs a meta-analysis of the recent life cycle assessment and flow analyses studies palm oil biodiesel. The best available data and information are extracted, summarized, and discussed. Most studies found palm oil biodiesel would produce positive energy balance with an energy ratio between 2.27 and 4.81, and with a net energy production of 112 GJ ha(-1) y(-1). With the exception of a few studies, most conclude that palm oil biodiesel is a net emitter of greenhouse gases (GHG). The origin of oil palm plantation (planted area) is the foremost determinant of GHG emissions and C payback time (CPBT). Converting peatland forest results in GHG emissions up to 60 tons CO(2) equivalent (eq) ha(-1) y(-1) leading to 420 years of CPBT. In contrast, converting degraded land or grassland for plantation can positively offset the system to become a net sequester of 5 tons CO(2) eq ha(-1) y(-1). Few studies have discussed cradle-to-grave environmental impacts such as acidification, eutrophication, toxicity, and biodiversity, which open opportunity for further studies.
authors.affiliation: Research Group for Industrial Ecology, LCA and System Sustainability, School of Forest Resources, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5755, USA. yosef.manik@maine.edu
authors.forename: Yosef
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Manik
authors.forename: Anthony
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Halog
mesh_terms: D056804:Biofuels; D004777:Environment; D006801:Humans; D057446:Hydrodynamics; D000073878:Palm Oil; D010938:Plant Oils; D013997:Time Factors; D035501:Uncertainty
chemical_list: D056804:Biofuels; D010938:Plant Oils; D000073878:Palm Oil