Page 54 - Biofuels for a More Sustainable Future

48 Biofuels for a More Sustainable Future

Environmental policies have been evolving recognizing the leading role
of sustainable production and consumption (SCP) to ensure an absolute
decoupling of environmental impacts from socioeconomic well-being.
A significant decoupling of environmental impacts from socioeconomic
well-being requires the definition of specific policies aiming at reducing bur-
dens associated to production and consumption of goods and services.
A new paradigm for economic growth, social equality, and environmen-
tal sustainability was set in 1987 when the “Brundtland’s report” (WCED,
1987) introduced the concept of “sustainable development” to the interna-
tional community. Sustainable development is the human development that
meets the needs of the present generations without compromising the ability
of future ones to meet their own needs. The definition builds on: (i) the con-
cepts of “needs,” in particular the essential needs of human population and
(ii) the idea of limitations, which is imposed by environment’s ability to
meet both present and future needs, as well as by the level of technological
advancement and social organization.
The transition toward sustainable production and consumption is
recognized as one of the major challenges for sustainability and specific
methodologies are needed in order to analyze the current situation; to
define future scenarios; and to assess the capability of policies, plans, and
actions to provide adequate solutions. Increasing demand for energy, food,
water, and other resources has resulted in resource depletion, pollution,
environmental degradation, and climate change, pushing the earth toward
its environmental limits. With humans now consuming more resources
than ever before, the current patterns of development across the world
are not sustainable.
SCP is about fulfilling the needs of all while using fewer resources,
including energy and water, and producing less waste and pollution. It
can contribute to poverty alleviation and the transition toward a low carbon,
green economy. SCP is as well essential for improving the lives of the
world’s poorest people, who depend so closely on the natural resources pro-
vided by their environment (UN, 2015).
The United Nations Secretary-General’s High-level Panel on Global
Sustainability in the report “Resilient People, Resilient Planet: A future
worth choosing” (UN, 2012) has defined a vision for a sustainable planet.
This entails a just society and a growing economy which aim at:
(i) eradicating poverty, reducing inequality, and making growth inclusive;
(ii) making production and consumption more sustainable, while combating
climate change and respecting a range of other planetary boundaries;