A Comparative Study on the RFS Program of Korea with the US and UK

Jung-Yull Shin, Gun-Woo Kim, Janet S. Zepernick and Kyu-Young Kang
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Jung-Yull Shin: Department of Renewable Energy Engineering, Graduate School, Dongguk University-Seoul, 30 Pildong-ro 1-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul 04620, Korea
Gun-Woo Kim: Department of Renewable Energy Engineering, Graduate School, Dongguk University-Seoul, 30 Pildong-ro 1-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul 04620, Korea
Janet S. Zepernick: Department of English & Modern Languages, College of Arts and Sciences, Pittsburg State University, 1701 South Broadway Street, Pittsburg, KS 66762, USA
Kyu-Young Kang: Department of Renewable Energy Engineering, Graduate School, Dongguk University-Seoul, 30 Pildong-ro 1-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul 04620, Korea

Sustainability, 2018, vol. 10, issue 12, 1-20

Abstract: In 2016, the global environmental impact of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions was 49.3 gigatons CO 2 equivalent. Worldwide, the transportation sector is responsible for 14% of GHG. Electric vehicles (EV) powered by less-polluting energy sources are one way to reduce the environmental impact of the transportation sector, but immediate transportation demands cannot be met by existing EV technology. Use of less polluting biofuel in place of petroleum-based gasoline or diesel fuel to power the existing transportation fleet is a widely accepted transitional solution, including in the Republic of Korea. The purpose of this research is to investigate approaches to biofuels in the US and the UK in order to evaluate Korea’s current energy policies related to use of biofuels and to make recommendations for strengthening Korea’s energy policy. This article addresses only policies for use of biodiesel rather than ethanol (widely used in the US) because ethanol is not used in Korea. This research shows that Korea calculates GHG using the principle that biofuel is carbon neutral, but energy policies in the US and the UK treat biofuel as not entirely carbon neutral. Korea should examine how to calculate GHG from biodiesel according to the standard set by the UK in order to work toward a more environmentally sustainable energy policy.

Keywords: RFS (Renewable Fuel Standards); renewable energy; biodiesel; CO 2; GHG; sustainability; carbon neutral (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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