The global biofuels revolution: challenges, options, recommendations
The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) recently announced a US$3 billion investment strategy to develop biofuels in Latin America. To put this initiative in context, the IDB released a major report on the future of the global biofuels industry, with a focus on Latin America's role in this emerging sector. The 600 page report titled "A Blueprint for Green Energy in the Americas - Strategic Analysis of Opportunities for Brazil and the Hemisphere" offers an overview of the past achievements, current trends and future challenges to make the transition to biofuels in a sustainable and equitable way.
The report was recently presented and discussed at a conference, where both the IDB and the Interamerican Ethanol Commission convened. The following videos highlight contributions of two speakers: Roberto Rodrigues (former Brazilian minister of agriculture) and David Rothkopf who prepared the study.
Rothkopf discusses the confluence of major factors that make the case for biofuels: instable and insecure oil markets, the evidence for climate change and the need for low carbon fuels, the biotech revolution, and rapid growth in the developing world. Green fuels offer opportunities to create an entirely new energy paradigm that confronts this situation. Key words are decentralisation, fuel diversification, sustainability and social inclusion.
However, many challenges remain, such as the need to develop new technologies, investments in infrastructures and the creation of global and regional biofuel policies and markets. The speaker further focuses on current trends and the potential of Latin America.
Roberto Rodrigues, current co-chair of the Interamerican Ethanol Commission, former agriculture minister under Brazilian president Lula's first government, and professor of 'world economics' at the University of São Paulo. Rodrigues explains why the big issue for 20th century agriculture was achieving global food security, and why for the 21st century it will be energy security. The professor sees a radical change in the geography of energy and agriculture, with the Global South taking advantage of its vast bioenergy potential to leapfrog into a green development era. Rodrigues continues by focusing on the food versus fuel issue as it relates to Brazil. He concludes with a discussion of technological progress in the sector.
More information:
IDB: "IDB targets $3 billion in Private Sector Biofuel Projects" - April 2, 2007.
IDB presentation of the study "A Blueprint for Green Energy in the Americas - Strategic Analysis of Opportunities for Brazil and the Hemisphere", April 2007.
Video fragment credits: IDB, C-Span [entry ends here]
bioenergy :: biofuels :: energy :: sustainability :: ethanol :: biodiesel :: biomass :: energy security :: climate change :: rural development :: Brazil :: Latin America :: Africa ::
The report was recently presented and discussed at a conference, where both the IDB and the Interamerican Ethanol Commission convened. The following videos highlight contributions of two speakers: Roberto Rodrigues (former Brazilian minister of agriculture) and David Rothkopf who prepared the study.
Rothkopf discusses the confluence of major factors that make the case for biofuels: instable and insecure oil markets, the evidence for climate change and the need for low carbon fuels, the biotech revolution, and rapid growth in the developing world. Green fuels offer opportunities to create an entirely new energy paradigm that confronts this situation. Key words are decentralisation, fuel diversification, sustainability and social inclusion.
However, many challenges remain, such as the need to develop new technologies, investments in infrastructures and the creation of global and regional biofuel policies and markets. The speaker further focuses on current trends and the potential of Latin America.
Roberto Rodrigues, current co-chair of the Interamerican Ethanol Commission, former agriculture minister under Brazilian president Lula's first government, and professor of 'world economics' at the University of São Paulo. Rodrigues explains why the big issue for 20th century agriculture was achieving global food security, and why for the 21st century it will be energy security. The professor sees a radical change in the geography of energy and agriculture, with the Global South taking advantage of its vast bioenergy potential to leapfrog into a green development era. Rodrigues continues by focusing on the food versus fuel issue as it relates to Brazil. He concludes with a discussion of technological progress in the sector.
More information:
IDB: "IDB targets $3 billion in Private Sector Biofuel Projects" - April 2, 2007.
IDB presentation of the study "A Blueprint for Green Energy in the Americas - Strategic Analysis of Opportunities for Brazil and the Hemisphere", April 2007.
Video fragment credits: IDB, C-Span [entry ends here]
bioenergy :: biofuels :: energy :: sustainability :: ethanol :: biodiesel :: biomass :: energy security :: climate change :: rural development :: Brazil :: Latin America :: Africa ::
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