Impact of Ethanol Production on Environment

Context: Concerns about the Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) programme refuse to die down in Andhra Pradesh, with scientists and farmers saying water resources are depleting and emissions from factories are polluting the air, water, and soil.

Ethanol Blending

• Ethanol blending in petrol refers to the practice of mixing ethanol, a type of alcohol/biofuel, with petrol to create a blended fuel.
  • E10, is the most common blend, which consists of 10% ethanol and 90% petrol. 
  • E20, is a higher ethanol blend, which has 20% ethanol and 80% petrol. 
• Ethanol is naturally produced by the fermentation of sugars by yeasts or via petrochemical processes such as ethylene hydration.

Ethanol Blending Target

• India launched its Ethanol Blending Programme (EBP) in 2003. It is aimed at reducing the country’s dependence on crude oil imports, cutting carbon emissions and boosting farmers’ incomes.
• The National Policy of Biofuels 2018 provided indicative targets of 20% ethanol blending in petrol and 5% biodiesel blending in diesel by 2030.
  • Encouraged by the past 7 years performance under the Ethanol Blending Programme, the Government advanced the targets of 20% ethanol blending from 2030 to Ethanol Supply Year (ESY) 2025-26.
  • In 2022, India’s blending programme achieved the significant milestone of 10% ethanol blending in petrol.
  • As of 2024, the blend percentage is 15%.
• First-generation (1G) Ethanol is sourced from food crops like sugarcane and foodgrains (broken rice, corn).

Concerns about Ethanol Production

• Water Resource Depletion:
  • Ethanol plants require 8-12 litres of water/litre of ethanol. Over-reliance on groundwater is reducing availability for drinking water and agriculture.
  • Factories located near rivers (like Krishna river in Andhra Pradesh) add pressure on already lean water flows.
• Pollution from Ethanol Factories:
  • Ethanol plants fall under the ‘red category’ of polluting industries (pollution score of 60+).
  • Hazardous emissions from ethanol factories include acetaldehyde, formaldehyde, and acrolein cause air, water, and soil pollution and pose significant health risks.
  • Lokayukta officials have criticised pollution control failures  from Ethanol factories (particularly in East Godavari, Krishna, and NTR districts of Andhra Pradesh). 
• Risks Food Security:
  • Primarily Ethanol to meet blending targets is procured from grain-based ethanol. E.g., Developing an organised maize-feed supply chain for ethanol. 
  • This risks food security as more area under the food grains can be diverted for growing food grains for ethanol production. 
• GHG emissions from Ethanol feedstock: 
  • Diverting food crops towards fuel production increases greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the agriculture sector, counteracting the goal of reducing emissions in the transport sector. 
• No Reduction in NOX Emissions: 
  • Use of Ethanol Blended Petrol reduces emissions of carbon monoxide. However, there is no reduction in the emission of nitrous oxides, which is one of the major environmental pollutants.

Conflicting Perspectives

• Government and Industry view:
  • NITI Aayog reports that 20% ethanol blending reduces carbon monoxide emissions by 30% in four-wheelers and 50% in two-wheelers.
  • Industrialists argue that pollution control measures increase production costs, making compliance difficult.
• Environmentalists' view:
  • While biofuels reduce vehicular emissions, ethanol production itself can be highly polluting.
  • If unchecked, the programme could harm agriculture, water availability, and public health.

Way Forward

• Stronger pollution monitoring: Clearances must include emission impact assessments.
• Sustainable water management: Strict groundwater usage regulations for ethanol plants.
• Sustainable Biofuels produced from crop residues and other low-impact sources, have a lower water and GHG footprint. Global Biofuels Alliance initiative aims to develop these sustainable alternatives and promote ethanol use. 
• Balancing Industrial growth and Environmental safety: Ensuring affordable pollution control measures for ethanol plants.

The EBP programme aims for a greener future, but its implementation must align with sustainability.