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peer-reviewed research article

Biofuel policy must evaluate environmental, food security and energy goals to maximize net benefits

authors

Steven Sexton, UC Berkeley
Deepak Rajagopal, UC Berkeley
Gal Hochman, UC Berkeley
David Zilberman, UC Berkeley
David Roland-Holst, UC Berkeley

publication information

California Agriculture 63(4):191-198. DOI: 10.3733/ca.v063n04p191. October-December 2009.

abstract

The biofuel industry has received billions of dollars in support from governments around the world, as political leaders respond to new environmental and energy-security imperatives. However, a growing body of research highlights nontrivial costs associated with biofuel production, including environmental destruction and diminished food security, and questions the magnitude of perceived benefits. We discuss the ability of biofuels to accomplish climate change, rural development and energy-security objectives, and consider possible impacts on food production and environmental conservation. We also review methods for judging biofuels, consider how well they contribute to policy objectives, and compare policies that support biofuels.

author affiliations

S. Sexton is Ph.D. Student, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, UC Berkeley; D. Rajagopal is Ph.D. Candidate, Energy and Resources Group, UC Berkeley; G. Hochman is Visiting Scholar, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, UC Berkeley; D. Zilberman is Professor, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, UC Berkeley; D. Roland-Holst is Professor, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, UC Berkeley;

author notes

The Energy Biosciences Institute provided funding for this research.

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