The growing world interest in biofuels in the past few years can be explained by several factors. High crude oil prices, local and global environmental impacts of fossil fuels, and geopolitical issues have raised attention to alternative fuel sources. The less-than-full utilization of agricultural potential in many countries has also led to a push by domestic interests toward finding new outlets for its productive capacity.
This note highlights the potential for another driver toward higher use of biofuels for transportation on a global scale, namely the opportunities for development that it can generate as an outlet for using currently idle or underemployed human and natural
resources in poor countries. Biofuels may offer a triple dividend: higher energy security, cleaner and lower-carbon environment, and more economic development.
Download and read:
- BIOFUELS AND DEVELOPMENT: THE THIRD DIVIDEND, “The future of ethanol, biofuels, and energy policy in the Americas”, Americas Society and Council of the Americas, New York, February 22, 2007.