This briefing paper reviews evidence of the impacts of the U.S. Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) on food prices, with a focus on corn and soy, and presents new analysis on the impact of the RFS on U.S. livestock farmers. Studies examining the relationship between food prices and biofuel demand conclude …
This article showcases the successful establishment of cluster level biodiesel resource centres catering to rural energy demands and the creation of livelihood opportunities in over 70 villages in Raigad district of Maharashtra, India. Central to this initiative has been the ongoing experiences with communities who collect and sell seeds of …
The current world food crisis is the result of the combined effects of competition for cropland from the growth in biofuels, low cereal stocks, high oil prices, speculation in food markets and extreme weather events. The crisis has resulted in a several-fold increase in several central commodity prices, driven 110 …
This IGES brief is based on the outcomes of the consultations on post-2012 climate regime and pertinent literature review. The brief suggests that the future climate regime should create incentives to promote only those biofuel projects and programs that provide net positive energy, environment, and developmental benefits; institute necessary safeguards …
Driven by national objectives for greater energy security, the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and rural development policy, incentives supporting biofuel production have increased in recent years with a greater number of countries adopting a variety of stimulative policies. In combination with higher petroleum prices, support policies, such as …
With the economic case for tackling climate change stronger than ever, the financial crisis provides an opportunity, not an obstacle, says Nicholas Stern.
Focusing on the situation relating to bioenergy in India, this paper provides an analysis of the currently available methodologies for assessing the varied impacts, both positive and negative, of bioenergy production. This contextual information is then framed within a perspective of planning for sustainability; and the reasoning behind development of …
The Indian Biofuels Program began over 60 years ago but has gained significant momentum only in the past decade and especially in the past 5 years. While until early 2000 the major focus was on ethanol as a blending additive to gasoline, in 2003 the National Biodiesel Mission was established …
In view of the major opportunities and risks associated with it, and the complexity of the subject, bioenergy policy has in a short time become a challenging political task for regulators and planners
This analysis examines the state of U.S. climate change and energy policy at the federal and sub-national levels, capturing the key developments in 2008, and looking ahead to 2009. It refers to the role of the U.S. courts, and the activities of American industry. It argues that the United States …
The development of modern biofuels for various energy applications is gaining momentum - both in terms of applications and impacts. Liquid biofuels for transport received special attention in the literature and numerous studies on the sustainability (economic and environmental) of large-scale biofuels production continue to be undertaken. This includes large …
Climate change is global in its causes and consequences. Through advanced modelling, patterns of change in the world climate have been observed over time. These model results have shown that compared to the pre-Industrial era, the world temperature has warmed by half a degree centigrade. The major causes for this …
This report is based on a series of 15 international case studies conducted between September and November 2008 under a joint initiative of FAO and the PISCES Energy Research Programme Consortium funded by DFID. The case studies focussed on developing an improved understanding of the linkages between Livelihoods and small-scale …
This study uses a national agro-environmental production model to evaluate the environmental and economic impacts of introducing a market for corn stover to support a stoverbased ethanol industry. It explore the relationship between stover supply, aggregate environmental impacts, and different production practices or policies that can influence supply or mitigate …
A passenger jet powered in part by vegetable oil successfully completed a two-hour flight Tuesday to test a biofuel that could lower aircraft emissions and cut costs, Air New Zealand said. One engine of a Boeing 747-400 was powered by a 50-50 blend of oil from jatropha plants and standard …
This is a compilation of important environmental news topics selected by experts from the Asia-Pacific region. The 2008 edition brings 114 articles from three international organisations and 21 countries. A number of news reports were contributed regarding global warming as the most urgent issue facing the world today. Also various …
Biofuels are being touted as a solution to rising fuel prices, growing energy demands, and the need to curb emissions of greenhouse gases. Governments have good reasons for promoting biofuels. Yet, a headlong rush into growing biofuel crops will bring its own problems. Unless planned properly, biofuel crops are likely …
