In the past several years the changing world energy situation has generated intense discussion about biofuels, much of it promising a source of environmentally friendly energy that would also be a boon to the world's farmers. At the same time, skeptics argue that biofuel production will threaten food supplies for the poor while failing to achieve many of its alleged environmental benefits.

Climate Change
Brochure
(PDF 125K)

• Can bioenergy fulfill the promise claimed by its proponents?
• Can it become an environmentally sustainable, economically viable, pro-poor source of energy?
• What challenges will meeting these goals present?
• How will increased bioenergy production affect the global food balance?
• What are the opportunities and risks that development of bioenergy poses for agriculture around the world, particularly for poor farmers in developing countries?