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Press Release

GRFA Responds to Oxfam's Flawed Biofuels Assessment

For Immediate Release

June 1, 2011

TORONTO, Canada – According to the Global Renewable Fuels Alliance (GRFA) a recent Oxfam report rightly exposes the effects of dangerous commodity speculation, escalating oil prices, short falls in agriculture technology, and climate change on future world food supplies. However the report fails in its assessment of biofuels and their impact on global food security.

A recent UN Food and Agriculture Organization report said that investment in biofuels could actually help improve food security in rural economies by creating jobs and boosting incomes. The head of the FAO’s Bioenergy and Food Security project, Heiner Thofern, said that if "done properly and when appropriate, bio-energy development offers a chance to drive investment and jobs into areas that are literally starving for them."

“The GRFA fully agrees with the FAO that biofuels are part of the solution,” stated Bliss Baker, spokesperson for the GRFA. “Oxfam should recognize that biofuels have the ability to help impoverished people by attracting much needed investment in agriculture, particularly in developing countries,” added Baker.

Recently the International Energy Agency released their Technology Roadmap: Biofuels for Transport which found that by 2050, biofuels could provide 27% of the worlds total transport fuel which would eliminate around 2.1 gigatonnes of CO2 emissions per year. The IEA went on to say that this could be achieved while not compromising global food security.

“Some of the factors affecting global food security should concern Oxfam,” stated Baker. “Nevertheless biofuels are a clear part of the food and energy security answer because they encourage greatly needed agricultural investment and reduce GHG emissions without jeopardizing food security,” concluded Baker.

The Global Renewable Fuels Alliance is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting biofuel friendly policies internationally. Alliance members represent over 65% of the global biofuels production from 44 countries. Through the development of new technologies and best practices, the Alliance members are committed to producing renewable fuels with the smallest possible footprint.