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Key Documents archive results 1-10 of 10 in Climate Change & Energy and Biofuels
Agrofuels and the use of genetic modification
This report from GeneWatch UK describes the use of genetically modified (GM) crops as agrofuels and makes policy recommendations on their use. Civil society groups have raised concerns over the sustainability of using food supplies to produce biofuel. Industry and government have responded by...
KEY DOCUMENT | Publication date: July 2009 | EN
The state of food and agriculture 2008 — Biofuels: prospects, risks and opportunities
This report, published by the Food and Agriculture Organization, outlines the current state of the biofuels debate and examines the policies being implemented to support biofuels and those needed to address issues affecting the environment, food security and the poor. The report begins with a...
KEY DOCUMENT | Publication date: 2008 | EN
Potential for biofuels for transport in developing countries
This brief, based on an ESMAP report published in 2005, provides a roadmap for developing countries considering large-scale biofuels production. It proposes sugarcane ethanol as the most commercially viable option, and draws on Brazil's experience to show what has made their industry successful,...
KEY DOCUMENT | Publication date: October 2005 | EN
Biofuels: ACP's response to fossil fuel dependence
This draft policy brief says African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries can use local natural resources -- such as sugarcane and jatropha -- to meet energy requirements through biofuels, curtailing dependence on fossil fuels. But the authors warn of challenges for developing countries,...
KEY DOCUMENT | Publication date: July 2007 | EN
Fuelling controversy — can biofuels slow the speed of climate change?
This annotated bibliography of mostly online resources covers the relationship between biofuels and climate change. The bibliography is divided into ten sections: Biofuels; GM trees; carbon sinks and trading; land use change -- effects on atmospheric carbon; deforestation and greenhouse gas...
KEY DOCUMENT | Publication date: April 2007 | EN
Biofuels: the once and future energy source
This is an overview of biofuels production, focusing on its use in transport. It outlines the various biofuels manufacturing pathways, and provides data on global ethanol fuel from 1990-2006 and biodiesel production in 2006. The International Energy Agency (IEA) predicts biofuel production will...
KEY DOCUMENT | Publication date: November 2007 | EN
A biofuels manifesto: why biofuels industry creation should be 'priority number one' for the World Bank and for developing countries
In this manifesto, John Mathews, professor of strategic management at Australia's Macquarie University, challenges development organisations to reconsider their position on biofuels. He says countries should follow Brazil, China and India in forging a "new pathway of industrial development", based...
KEY DOCUMENT | Publication date: October 2006 | EN
A review of the current state of bioenergy development in G8+5 countries
This report, assessing bioenergy production in G8+5 countries, highlights challenges for the developing industry. Trade barriers still impede bioenergy development, particularly in smaller developing countries. And although not all biofuels are environmentally friendly, there is no international...
KEY DOCUMENT | Publication date: November 2007 | EN
The promises and challenges of biofuels for the poor in developing countries
Energy demands are rising, and most of this demand will come from outside the OECD by 2015. This report outlines how developing country farmers can exploit biofuels' potential, including producing ethanol from crop residues and growing energy crops on land unsuitable for producing food. It...
KEY DOCUMENT | Publication date: November 2006 | EN
Bioenergy and agriculture: promises and challenges
Biofuels offer an attractive solution to escalating oil prices and concern over how fossil fuels affect global climate. They also provide new prospects for rural communities. But their full implications, for developing countries and the environment, remain unclear. Balancing economic efficiency...
KEY DOCUMENT | Publication date: November 2006 | EN
Information Services
Easier REDD than done
Designing a framework for reducing forest emissions that will live up to expectations will be hard
A climate for disease?
Will climate change worsen the burden of insect-borne disease? The scientific jury is still out
