Event Description
Biofuels markets around the world are policy-driven, and therefore an understanding of the key policy mechanisms and their aims and impacts is necessary. At the same time, in some countries, nascent biofuels industries are beginning to grow in the absence of regulatory frameworks. Biofuels trade flows are currently relatively small, but expected to grow substantially. This raises difficult questions about international trade rules and their application to biofuels. It has also created the need to internationalize and harmonize industry fuel composition and quality specifications, definitions and data collection methods.
Ms. Hunt provided a brief overview of the biofuels industry including fuels, producers, production and trade trends, and the key opportunities and risks that this new industry presents. She described "second generation" biofuels and their potential implications. The lecture concluded with a discussion of the strategies being developed to ensure the sustainable production of biofuels.
Commentators
Robert Elde, PhD
Dean of the College of Biological Sciences, University of Minnesota
Benjamin Senauer, PhD
Professor of Applied Economics and Co-Director of The Food Industry Center, University of Minnesota