The potential of biofuels to contribute to climate change mitigation and diversification of energy supplies is being contemplated against the backdrop of intense efforts towards agricultural reform at national and global levels, leading to interplay of several policy agendas. Beyond meeting domestic energy needs, many countries are exploring potential new trade opportunities.
Along with these promises, biofuels have given rise to a range of concerns related to their potential impacts for the environment, increase in global food prices and distorsions in global agricultural markets. A debate is emerging about the new for the definition of sustainability criteria and standards, which leads to question about the trade implications of such standards. ICTSD’s programme on trade, climate change and energy seeks to explore these issues from a trade and sustainable development perspective.