Response to “how robust are reductions in modeled estimates from GTAP-BIO of the indirect land use change induced by conventional biofuels?”

Taheripour, F.; Mueller, S.; Kwon, H.

doi:10.1016/j.jclepro.2021.127431

Response to “how robust are reductions in modeled estimates from GTAP-BIO of the indirect land use change induced by conventional biofuels?”

Journal Article · Sun May 16 00:00:00 EDT 2021 · Journal of Cleaner Production

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2021.127431· OSTI ID:1855965

Taheripour, F. ^[1]; Mueller, S. ^[2]; Kwon, H. ^[3]

Purdue Univ., West Lafayette, IN (United States)
Univ. of Illinois, Chicago, IL (United States)
Argonne National Lab. (ANL), Lemont, IL (United States)

Malins et al. (2020) recently published "How robust are reductions in modeled estimates from GTAP-BIO of the indirect land use change induced by conventional biofuels?", provided their narrative from the model improvements in GTAP-BIO over time, made several critical points regarding this model, and argued that the implemented improvements in this model tended to decrease Induce Land Use Changes (ILUC) emissions. Furthermore, they also provided several critical points regarding the Carbon Calculator for Land Use Change from Biofuels Production (CCLUB) emissions model. In this response to Malins et al. we address these critiques point-by-point by providing our detailed responses to key issues: 1) the GTAP-BIO model and its improvements over time; 2) the inclusion of cropland pasture in the model; 3) the observed land use changes in the US that have been the bases for improvements in GTAP-BIO model, 4) the time trends in corn price and yield to challenge the concept of the yield to price response; 5) some sources of land intensification in crop production; 6) the FAO notifications with respect to the comparison between harvested area and arable land; and 7) the GTAP-BIO results for multiple cropping. We also provided responses to Malins et al. critical points regarding the CCLUB emissions model. We hope that this response letter will open more constructive discussion among the LUC modeling community to remain focused on the big picture regarding agriculture's role as a very effective GHG mitigation tool that can shape the new policies to govern the production and consumption of biofuels.

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

Research Organization:: Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Energy Efficiency Office. Building Technologies Office

Grant/Contract Number:: AC02-06CH11357

OSTI ID:: 1855965

Journal Information:: Journal of Cleaner Production, Journal Name: Journal of Cleaner Production Vol. 310; ISSN 0959-6526

Publisher:: ElsevierCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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Response to “how robust are reductions in modeled estimates from GTAP-BIO of the indirect land use change induced by conventional biofuels?”

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