Rose Bridger's Page

Will biofuels feed aeroplanes?
by Rose Bridger, 28th June 2008

One factor in the rise in food prices is the allocation of land for biofuels. A considerable proportion of these biofuels will be pumped into the tanks of trucks to transport food long distances across countries and continents. The prospect of using biofuels for aviation seems remote, with the aviation industry itself estimating that it will be dependent on fossil fuels for at least the next 30 years. Yet there are initiatives aiming to feed planes with biofuels. In February 2008 Virgin Atlantic ran a test flight from London to Amsterdam with 20 per cent biofuel made from coconuts and babassu in one of its four engines, but the airline’s founder Richard Branson says that algae is a more feasible source of biofuel suitable for planes.

Air New Zealand is seeking approval for a test flight for a Boeing 747-400, using jatropha in one of the aircraft’s four engines. Jatropha is a plant that grows up to 3 metres high with berries that yield up to 40 per cent oil. Air New Zealand Chief Executive Rob Fyfe thinks that jatropha could be produced for less than two thirds of the cost of jet fuel, which would mean major savings on the firm’s fuel bill for 9m barrels per year. The jatropha fuel is being sourced from Africa and India, but the firm thinks the crop could also be grown in New Zealand.

Land is being allocated for jatropha in many African countries. The usual claims that the biofuel does not compete with food production are being made, along with optimistic projections for high yields and low carbon emissions from production. Apparently, jatropha grows on degraded land, and can tolerate poor soils with little water supply which are not suitable for food crops. UK firm Sun Biofuels is growing jatropha in Ethiopia, Mozambique and Tanzania. Alan Beattie reports in the Financial Times that, in the village of Mtamba, near the coast of Tanzania, jatropha will soon be growing on 8,000 hectares, with plans to expand the crop over more than 40,000 hectares. There have been complaints that villagers have not been informed about the projects and are doubtful about their employment prospects. Charcoal makers have been evicted to make way for the biofuel growing. Apart from the compensation paid to 152 farmers, Sun Biofuels gets the land free on a 99 year lease.

In Nigeria, jatropha growing is supported by the Centre for Jatropha Promotions and Biofuels, and non-governmental organisation Green Shield of Nations is trialling jatropha crops in 11 states in the north of the country. I wonder how this is connected with aviation expansion. I am investigating expansion of air freight of food and flowers all over the world. Oil prices rise are impacting on every stage of the fossil fuel dependent fuel chain from fertilisers and pesticides through to distribution. Yet expansion of airport cold storage for export of food and flowers from some of the world’s poorest countries with high levels of malnutrition and hunger continues. In Nigeria, it appears that cargo airports with the specific purpose of exporting food, including vegetables and meat, to wealthy markets in the Middle East and Europe are under fast track construction including in Gusau, Ogun and Asaba. There is foreign investment including from Saudi Arabia and China.

On the internet you can look at the airport development sites from above, see the landing strips and adjoining buildings go up over time. The contractual arrangements, ownership and control of the facilities could have major consequences for local and global food chains. I would like to network with communities on the ground near these developments and know your views on how this infrastructure will affect food sovereignty and sustainability.

email: rosebridger@ntlworld.com
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