Drivers of Food Price Increases: Is it fair to blame biofuels? (New Energy Finance)
Again, the food vs. fuel debate. I consider this as a very important issue, since the poor suffer a lot more from slight changes on food prices.
“Drivers of Food Price Increases: Is it fair to blame biofuels?” (from New Energy Finance) is a study to which I haven’t had full access. However, after reading some data, one might be leaning to defend biofuels more strongly.
I still plan to go deeper on this subject over the next few days. For now, two quotes. First, the corporate one:
What should the biofuel industry do? First it must work harder to speak with a unified voice and to use that to communicate the fact that biofuels have been only one factor in the recent food price increases. Second, it must strive to clarify the true environmental impact of biofuels and to eliminate the use of feedstocks that have a negative impact. Third, it must accelerate the development of technologies that use waste or non-food crops for biofuel production. (Michael Liebreich)
And now, from a developing country point of view (same page, on comments box):
The contribution of biofuels till date, in primary energy mix is confined to 5 – 6% only, that needs to be raised, while containing escalation in food prices, and sustaining availability of food stuff for the rural and poor masses. (Dr. Jagdish P. N. Giri)
(Bold and underlilned parts by me.)
Although the second quote’s subject is approached on the third step suggested by Mr. Liebreich, Dr. Giri emphasizes “the rural and poor masses”. I consider to be important to see biofuels fully developed, as much as giving those people a chance to improve their lives. The key is to make biofuels more than just a new excuse to dump subsidies to American and European farmers.
