Issue (WIWE) status: Submitted, Unpublished

Weak Signal's progress: Fully-fledged

This Weak Signal came from: 
European Commission Framework Programme for RTD

The theme/scheme related to this Weak Signal: 
Theme 6 - Environment (including Climate Change)

The sub-theme that best relates to this Weak Signal: 
Conservation and sustainable management of natural and man-made resources and biodiversity

When did the Weak Signal manifest ? 
2005-now

Weak Signal's description: 

Lignocellulosic bioethanol has the potential of contributing to a sustainable and secure European energy supply for the transport sector. European research and industry is presently among the forerunners in developing lignocellulosic bioethanol, which uses as a natural source lignin and cellulosic rich feedstocks such as trees and energy crops like fast growing grasses. However, the increasing demand for energy and the pressure over the development of more sustainable forms of energy has some negative effects, deforestation being one of them. Therefore, the high production of bioethanol in Europe puts at risk some of the most forest-intensive areas of Europe.

What makes this Weak Signal interesting? It reveals environmental anomalies