Agrofuels and land distribution: towards a rights based approach to food security
This policy note analyses current European agrofuel policies in terms of their effects on nature and poverty. It argues that agrofuels are exacerbating climate change and that their development is infringing on the land rights of the poor, thus exacerbating poverty. Agrofuels are infringing on the intrinsic existence right of nature, as well as on the right of the poor to sufficient land to produce food. This policy note argues that a rights based approach to sustainable development needs to be incorporated into agrofuel policy both in the area of nature conservation and in the area of poverty alleviation for agrofuel policy to contribute positively to either renewable energy or sustainable development.