Following on from the last AAB conference held on this topic in 2001, this conference provides an opportunity to gain a progress update in this rapidly developing sector where there have been significant policy and technology developments. Significantly, there have been moves to large-scale commercialisation of processes for conversion of biomass to energy in response to policy actions generated to deliver both the EU’s and the UK Governments objectives for development of renewable energy sources as a means of both reducing green house gas emissions and increasing fuel security. There have been significant moves in use of woody biomass, straw and energy grasses for electricity generation, but also in use of conventional arable crops for production of biodiesel and ethanol as transport fuels. These developments have not come without criticism of the impact such developments could have in terms of competition for land with food crops and the impacts this could have on food prices. Similarly, the environmental credentials of biomass technologies have been questioned in terms of their green house gas savings and wider environmental footprint. The impact of market pressures to develop oil crops to feed the growing biofuel market have been blamed for deforestation, thereby undermining potential green house gas savings. Clearly the benefits of use of biomass lies in their Life Cycle Assessment in terms of cradle to grave impacts on greenhouse gas emissions and other environmental and socio-economic factors. Increasing biomass productivity and utilisation can significantly improve the results of such assessments. This conference provides academics, policy makers, environmental organizations and industry interests with an opportunity to hear about the research, policies and issues affecting developments in use of conventional and perennial crops for energy and transport fuels. Topics discussed include:

• How bioenergy systems are being implemented in different parts of Europe,

• How productivity and efficiency might be improved, through breeding and management

• Evaluation of different feedstock crops for liquid fuels and biomass use

• Environmental impacts associated with energy crop production

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2008 336 pp.   

Price £30.00 (AAB Members £21.00)  

Plus P&P £1.50 UK, £3.00 Europe, £5.00 Rest of World