Biofuels Research in the CGIAR

CONSULTATIVE GROUP ON INTERNATIONAL AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH

Biofuels Research in the CGIAR
A Perspective from the
SCIENCE COUNCIL

SCIENCE COUNCIL SECRETARIAT
FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS (FAO)
Rome, 2008

The Science Council of the CGIAR encourages fair use of this material provided proper citation is made.

A CGIAR Science Council Policy Statement on Biofuels Production.
Rome, Italy: Science Council Secretariat.

ABSTRACT

There are serious concerns about the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, energy and nutrient and water use efficiency of large-scale, first generation bio-energy feedstocks currently in use. A major question is whether biofuels obtained from these feedstocks are effective in combating climate change and what impact they will have on soil and water resources. Another fundamental issue relates to the magnitude and nature of their impact on food prices and ultimately on the livelihoods of the poor.

This ‘position paper’ was motivated by a request from the FAO Assistant Director General (Natural Resource Management and Environment Department) for a policy statement from the SC on the challenges related tothe global community’s renewed interest in and attention to biofuels, what the likely implications of this development are for the poor and the environment, and what role the CGIAR is expected to play.