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Biofuel production, trade and sustainable development

Extensive analysis has been done in recent years on the technological, environmental and social aspects of biofuel production and trade. This paper aims to provide a succinct overview of these analyses, with a view to identifying the potential opportunities and limitations associated with large-scale biofuel production, and drawing out relevant lessons for policymakers, businesses and civil society. This study concludes that biofuels for transportation have the potential to contribute to sustainable development. However, the social and environmental benefits are neither intrinsic nor automatic but will be realized only if international and national sustainability standards and incentives that promote and reward environmentally and socially sound biofuel production and trade are put in place.

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