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Are biofuels pro-poor? Assessing the evidence

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  • J. S. Clancy

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.

Suggested Citation

  • J. S. Clancy, 2008. "Are biofuels pro-poor? Assessing the evidence," The European Journal of Development Research, Taylor and Francis Journals, vol. 20(3), pages 416-431.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:eurjdr:v:20:y:2008:i:3:p:416-431
    DOI: 10.1080/09578810802245618
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    1. Ariza-Montobbio, Pere & Lele, Sharachchandra, 2010. "Jatropha plantations for biodiesel in Tamil Nadu, India: Viability, livelihood trade-offs, and latent conflict," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 70(2), pages 189-195, December.
    2. Kristensen, Søren Bech Pilgaard & Birch-Thomsen, Torben & Rasmussen, Kjeld & Rasmussen, Laura Vang & Traoré, Oumar, 2014. "Cassava as an energy crop: A case study of the potential for an expansion of cassava cultivation for bioethanol production in Southern Mali," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 66(C), pages 381-390.
    3. James Thurlow & Giacomo Branca & Erika Felix & Irini Maltsoglou & Luis E. Rincón, 2016. "Producing Biofuels in Low-Income Countries: An Integrated Environmental and Economic Assessment for Tanzania," Environmental & Resource Economics, Springer;European Association of Environmental and Resource Economists, vol. 64(2), pages 153-171, June.
    4. Acosta, Lilibeth A. & Enano, Nelson H. & Magcale-Macandog, Damasa B. & Engay, Kathreena G. & Herrera, Maria Noriza Q. & Nicopior, Ozzy Boy S. & Sumilang, Mic Ivan V. & Eugenio, Jemimah Mae A. & Lucht,, 2013. "How sustainable is bioenergy production in the Philippines? A conjoint analysis of knowledge and opinions of people with different typologies," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 102(C), pages 241-253.
    5. Shinoj, P. & Raju, S.S. & Kumar, Praduman & Msangi, Siwa & Yadav, Pawan & Thorat, Vishal Shankar & Chaudhary, Khyali Ram, 2010. "An Economic Assessment along the Jatropha-based Biodiesel Value Chain In India," Agricultural Economics Research Review, Agricultural Economics Research Association (India), vol. 23(Conferenc), November.
    6. Acosta-Michlik, Lilibeth & Lucht, Wolfgang & Bondeau, Alberte & Beringer, Tim, 2011. "Integrated assessment of sustainability trade-offs and pathways for global bioenergy production: Framing a novel hybrid approach," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 15(6), pages 2791-2809, August.
    7. James Thurlow & Giacomo Branca & Erika Felix & Irini Maltsoglou & Luis E. Rincón, 2016. "Producing Biofuels in Low-Income Countries: An Integrated Environmental and Economic Assessment for Tanzania," Environmental & Resource Economics, Springer;European Association of Environmental and Resource Economists, vol. 64(2), pages 153-171, June.
    8. Mohammed Galal Abdallah Mostafa, 2021. "The Impact of Energy Subsidy Reform on Economic Growth in Egypt Over the Period from 2013 to 2020," International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy, Econjournals, vol. 11(4), pages 31-42.
    9. Lilibeth A. Acosta & Damasa B. Magcale-Macandog & K. S. Kavi Kumar & Xuefeng Cui & Elena A. Eugenio & Paula Beatrice M. Macandog & Arnold R. Salvacion & Jemimah Mae A. Eugenio, 2016. "The Role of Bioenergy in Enhancing Energy, Food and Ecosystem Sustainability Based on Societal Perceptions and Preferences in Asia," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 6(2), pages 1-26, April.
    10. Brinkman, Marnix L.J. & Wicke, Birka & Faaij, André P.C. & van der Hilst, Floor, 2019. "Projecting socio-economic impacts of bioenergy: Current status and limitations of ex-ante quantification methods," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 115(C).
    11. Breisinger, Clemens & Mukashov, Askar & Raouf, Mariam & Wiebelt, Manfred, 2019. "Energy subsidy reform for growth and equity in Egypt: The approach matters," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 129(C), pages 661-671.

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    Keywords

    biofuels; rural poverty;

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