Biofuels: Perspective for Sustainable Development and Climate Change Mitigation

Abstract

Soaring fuel prices and climate change are two major problems the world is facing now. There has long been argued that the commercial fuel stocks will only remain for some more time now. Since the human population depends vastly on the non-renewable sources of energy for much of its transport, creating alternatives to liquid fuels has become obligatory. Hence, there is global urgency to harness liquid fuels from non-fossil sources. This chapter argues that biofuels are a possible “greener” alternative to fossil fuels. They are globally sustainable and available. Because biomass is green and carbon neutral, it can lead to sustainable development and global environmental conservation. Apparent benefits of biofuels are indicated by the fact that a greater number of countries are willing to implement and plan increase share of biofuels in their energy requirements. In order to do so, substantial production increases are needed quickly to accommodate rising global demand. Technologies must be advanced to obtain biofuels from terrestrial as well as aquatic plants/algae. Policies both, nationally in respective countries as well as internationally, need to incorporate greater role of biofuel as a substitute to fossil-based fuels. We bring in attention an approach to bring production and trade of biofuels under the carbon trade facility called Clean Development Mission. This will not only provide an added option to mitigate climate change but also better enhance global sustainability by encouraging biofuel production especially in developing countries.