Biofuels development has received increased attention in recent times as a means to mitigate climate change, alleviate global energy concerns and foster rural development. Nevertheless, the rapid growth of biofuels production has raised many concerns among experts worldwide, in particular with regard to sustainability issues and the threat posed to food security.

This is an excerpt of the full report, which provides an overview of the key problems and perspectives and use of biofuels. It is based on an extensive literature study, taking into account recent major reviews. The focus is on so-called first generation biofuels while considering further lines of developments.

The dominant model for agricultural development has not adequately considered environmental and social externalities, leading to their insufficient integration into decision-making processes that shape agriculture and food systems. There is a critical need for comprehensive regulation of the agricultural sector to design and implement concrete transition pathways towards more sustainable agriculture and food systems at various scales,