This briefing paper reviews evidence of the impacts of the U.S. Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) on food prices, with a focus on corn and soy, and presents new analysis on the impact of the RFS on U.S. livestock farmers. Studies examining the relationship between food prices and biofuel demand conclude …
The increasing demand for agricultural products and the uncertainty of international food markets has recently drawn the attention of governments and agribusiness firms toward investments in productive agricultural land, mostly in the developing world. The targeted countries are typically located in regions that have remained only marginally utilized because of …
Britain is running out of land for food and faces a potential shortfall of two million hectares by 2030 according to new research. The report, from the University of Cambridge, says the growing population plus the use of land for energy crops are contributing to the gap. It criticises the …
A new report that assesses how Government can best achieve the UK's 2020 renewable transport target has been hailed as 'an important step forward' for the sustainable biofuels industry. The two-part report, released yesterday (18 June) by the Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership (LowCVP), sets out how the UK can hit …
PAKISTAN is considered one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change. Global Climate Risk Index 2014 indicated that Pakistan is included in the list of top 3 countries which were affected most in 2012 due to climate change. In order to manage the issue of climate change, government of …
The government plans to plant 200 crore trees along the entire 1 lakh km National Highways network across the country to employ jobless youth. “The length of National Highways in the country is one lakh kilometre. I have asked officials to come out with a plan to plant 200 crore …
The days of "king corn" could be numbered as climate change brings higher temperatures and water shortages to America's farmland, a new report warned on Wednesday. Nearly one-third of US farmland is devoted to raising corn and the country produces about 40% of the world's corn crop. But the $1.7tn …
First released in 2005, REN21's Renewables Global Status Report (GSR) provides a comprehensive and timely overview of renewable energy market, industry, investment and policy developments worldwide. It enables policymakers, industry, investors and civil society to make informed decisions. The report covers recent developments, current status, and key trends; by design, …
Four environmental dimensions of energy security—climate change, air pollution, water availability and quality, and land-use change—and the environmental impact of 13 energy systems on each are discussed in this paper. Climate change threatens more land, people, and economies in Asia and small Pacific island states than any other part of …
In 2013, approximately 6.5 million people were already employed in the renewable energy industry worldwide, a new study by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) reveals. ‘Renewable Energy and Jobs – Annual Review 2014’ underlines the important role that renewables continue to play in employment creation and growth in the …
A spokesman for the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) said on Wednesday that the agency is not yet reviewing a final rule on 2014 biofuel blending requirements, quashing rumors the rule has been submitted for White House review. The agency in charge of the rule, the U.S. …
Tracking Clean Energy Progress 2014 examines progress in the development and deployment of key clean energy technologies. This Energy Technology Perspectives 2014 (ETP 2014) excerpt tracks each technology and sector against interim 2025 targets in the IEA 2014 Energy Technology Perspectives 2°C scenario, which lays out pathways to a sustainable …
The WBCSD launched a report, titled ‘Water, Food and Energy Nexus Challenges,' which indicates that increasing demand for agricultural products will strain land, water, energy and other resources, as well as contribute to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The report highlights that food demand is expected to increase 60% by 2050 …
Ethanol was pitched as the new hope for alternative fuels in America, but what if it’s actually worse than conventional gasoline? That’s exactly what a new government-funded study is saying in an analysis of cellulostic ethanol — fuel made from byproducts like the leftovers from growing corn. The study suggests …
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency slashed its target for 2013 use of cellulosic biofuel to less than a million gallons on Tuesday after the industry failed to meet goals for production of the fuel last year. The agency lowered the mandate to 810,185 gallons in a new rule, well below …
Critics say bioenergy, carbon capture, among draft report's 'false solutions' to sustain business as usual economics A British environmental organisation that has reviewed the draft of a forthcoming UN IPCC report on mitigating climate change has questioned many of the document's recommendations as deeply flawed. Dr Rachel Smolker, co-director of …
Federal judges on Monday pressed the Obama administration to explain delays that have plagued its implementation of the U.S. biofuel mandate, as the government attempted to fend off an oil industry challenge to renewable fuel use targets. In a case before the U.S. Court of Appeals for Washington D.C., the …
The German government will give its blessing on Tuesday to a sweeping reform of renewable energy laws designed to slow cost increases as Europe's largest economy moves to nearly double its green power share to 45 percent by 2025. Chancellor Angela Merkel's cabinet will adopt reforms to put the 'Energiewende', …
According to official statistics from Eurobserv’ER, 23.4 percent of the electricity in the European Union came from renewable energy sources in 2012. The total output for 2012 has been estimated at 763.5 TW. This represents an important increase from 2011, when these energy sources brought "only" 20.4 percent of total …
Technique of burning biomass then pumping released carbon underground included in leaked draft from UN climate panel An upcoming UN report suggests that unproven technologies to suck carbon out of the air might be a fix for climate change, according to a leaked draft obtained by the Guardian. Scientists and …
The latest edition of this authoritative annual report tells the story of the latest developments, signs and signals in the financing of renewable power and fuels. Packed full of statistics, charts and illuminating narrative, it explores the issues affecting each type of investment, technology, region. According to Global Trends in …
