Algae Industry Counseled on Sustainability Objectives at Summit
by Tom Bryan (Biodiesel Magazine) The algae industry’s ambition to build a global industry that is fundamentally sustainable, safe and responsible was the chief topic of discussion on day two of the 2012 Algae Biomass Summit in Denver.
Keynote speaker L. Hunter Lovins, president of Natural Capitalism Solutions, delivered a thought-provoking message about the role of renewable energy in mitigating global climate change. It was a fitting backdrop to the sustainability focus imbued throughout the ABS program.
Following Lovins, Jennie Hunter-Cevera of Hunter & Associates outlined the scope and purpose of a yet-to-be-released report on the sustainability of algae biofuels. The report, produced by a multidisciplinary committee of the National Academy of Sciences, attempts to identify potential concerns and unforeseen sustainability challenges for a range of approaches to algal biofuels production. It also explores ways to address those challenges, and suggests appropriate indicators and metrics that can inform future sustainability assessments of algae-derived fuels. “It’s never trivial when you focus on the words sustainability and environmental impact,” said Hunter-Cevera, explaining that the report—two years in the making—is expected to be released this fall. READ MORE
