Economic and Policy Aspects of Bio-Energy/Biofuel Production and Use

Work on biofuels has grown exponentially, addressing technical, economic and policy dimensions.  The World Bank, which is now embarking on economic work in the field of biofuels, requires the latest information in this field to advise its operations.

A comprehensive review of the literature sponsored by the Energy Sector Management Assistance Program (ESMAP)¹ on the economics of production, regulation, and trade in liquid biofuels provides a useful basis for understanding the state-of-the-art related to these aspects. 

Several additional key aspects, such as the impact of biofuel production on land, water and environmental pollution, and on food availability and affordability could be important in addressing policy interventions at country and global levels. These aspects are the focus of a literature review commissioned by the World Bank's Development Research Group, and of on-going research entailing global modeling.

1.  Kojima, Masami, Donald Mitchell, and William Ward (May 2007), Considering Trade Policies for Liquid Fuels.  ESMAP Report, World Bank.