This short risk evaluation report emphasises how men and women could be affected quite differently by large-scale production of liquid biofuels in developing countries, with women likely to lose out if action is not taken. The aim of the report is to promote in-depth discussions to identify crucial research areas and encourage policy strategies to address these risks.

What are the potential gender-differentiated risks associated with the large-scale production of liquid biofuels (such as bioethanol and biodiesel) in developing countries? What further research is required to develop a better understanding of these risks, and what policies need to be put in place?

Biofuels have been hailed as a solution to climate change and a way to reduce poverty. Some researchers argue that by successfully entering the biofuel market, developing countries can create jobs, boost incomes and so increase food security. However, are biofuels sustainable in environmental, social or economic terms?Research from the Overseas
Development Institute in the UK explores the arguments and evidence around claims
that biofuels can play a role in poverty reduction.
Biofuels can be produced from

Governments, oil companies and agribusinesses all support biofuels as a way to combat climate change. Genetic engineering plays an increasing role in biofuel production. Can replacing fossil fuels with biofuels reduce carbon emissions?Biofuels are renewable fuels produced from crops or biomass,
including crops grown specifically for converting into fuel. Political leaders
and businesses increasingly suggest biofuels as an alternative to declining
fossil fuel reserves. One attraction is that they can reduce a country’s

Trade in ethanol is increasing, and raises the need for the classification of various biofuels within frameworks such as the WTO. With that being said, this paper wonders how do biofuels policies and programs fit within the WTO’s stated goals of liberalisation. In addition, it examines the effects of the rapid biofuels expansion on the prices of grains, and the effects triggered in the livestock industries. The paper indicates that the biofuels industry affects and is affected by government policies in countries around the globe.

The policy debate about the merits and demerits of biofuels is growing and changing rapidly, with concerns being voiced over their effectiveness for mitigating climate change, role in recent food price hikes and social environmental impacts. This study contributes to these debates through examining the current and likely future impacts of the increasing spread of biofuels on access to land in producer countries, particularly for poorer rural people. It draws on a literature review of evidence drawn from diverse contexts across Africa, Asia and Latin America.

This report provides the first summary by  the UN of how climate change, water stress, invasive pests and land degradation may impact world food security, food prices and how we may be able to feed the world in a more sustainable manner. The report examines the need to get smart and more creative about recycling food wastes.

This paper examines the consequences of climate change and rising bioenergy demand for sustainable development, food security and nutrition throughout the lifecycle. It also explores the implications of climate change and rising bioenergy demand for nutrition and analyses potential strategies for cultivation of bioenergy crops that can contribute to poverty reduction, food security and sustainable natural resource management.