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 …
SIR RICHARD BRANSON, the bearded billionaire who founded Virgin Atlantic, is fond of surprises. Next month his airline plans to test-fly an aircraft that is partly powered by biofuels, something most experts thought was years away. From April Sir Richard's countrymen will begin filling their cars with a blend of …
China's Ministry of Finance has drawn up policies to promote the production of non-food sources for biofuels. Under the plan, the ministry will offer subsidies of about 3,000 yuan (us $408) for each hectare of biofuel plantations. Industrial projects producing ethanol from cellulose, sweet sorghum and cassava will receive rewards …
The government of Zimbabwe plans to construct biofuel plants in all its 10 provinces by 2010. Under the plan, massive jatropha plantations will be initiated after January 2008. "The plant grows well in dry areas such as Matabeleland South and Masvingo. This means, it can be grown in other parts …
Propelled by a unique biodiesel produced from leftover chocolates, this vehicle arrived in Mali's central city Timbuktu on December 22. Nicknamed BioTruck, the vehicle started its journey from the UK on November 26. The BioTruck team claims this is the world's first carbon-negative driving expedition across the Sahara desert. The …
While cutting down rainforests to grow palm oil for biofuels may constitute "madness" (1 December 2007, p 50), burning other vegetable oils is no more sane, nor less damaging to Indonesia's rainforests. Indonesia is expected to increase its palm oil production by more than half over the next 10 years. …
