Are biofuels pro-poor? Assessing the evidence

J. S. Clancy

The European Journal of Development Research, 2008, vol. 20, issue 3, 416-431

Abstract: Biofuels are back in vogue. They are an attractive substitute for petroleum fuels, representing a relatively low cost alternative. In response to the 1970s oil crises a small number of countries began biofuel programmes, Brazil having the most extensive and well known programme resulting in ethanol being produced commercially as a fuel. Since the turn of the millennium, a number of forces have combined together to promote biofuel production once more: fuel security, high oil prices; environmental concerns linked to the enhancement of the greenhouse effect; rural development and poverty reduction. This paper reviews the evidence as to whether or not biofuels are pro-poor by assessing the impacts on land use (including food security), the local environment, jobs and gender equality. The paper concludes that biofuels are a technical system and it is the institutional structure rather than the technology which determines whether or not biofuels are pro-poor.

Keywords: biofuels; rural poverty (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2008
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (13)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:taf:eurjdr:v:20:y:2008:i:3:p:416-431

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DOI: 10.1080/09578810802245618

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