Sustainable Biofuel Production: Opportunities ...

Exploring energy options from renewable sources is a top priority in most countries owing to increased energy demands coupled with future shortages in the supply of current energy sources and its associated uncertainties, and, climate change concerns. As a promising alternative, modern biofuels -- derived primarily from renewable biomass-- are being increasingly recognized as holding a potential for offering a sustainable energy future, which at the same time, could have the potential for creating opportunities for achieving environmental and socio-economic goals in the sustainable development paradigm. In many nations, rural development is one of the primary objectives behind promoting biofuel projects. This paper reviews biofuel development, through exploring the rural development implications of sustainable bioenergy / biofuel production. It is argued in this review that the bioenergy / biofuel projects that are implemented in an environmentally and socially acceptable manner have a better fit with the development of rural areas, particularly in developing countries. This potential is attributed to its capacity to enable energy services to the rural community, present jobs and livelihood options, and create good local healthy environment. Therefore, if biofuel projects are developed in a manner conducive to sustainable development, they will more likely make a meaningful strategy for economic growth. However, at the same time, it is realized that such projects are not the only vehicle to address energy and development problems for rural areas, and therefore, assessment of all options should be made before making such decisions.