Sustainable Development of Biofuels in Latin America and the Caribbean

Sustainable Development of Biofuels in Latin America and the Caribbean PDF Author: Barry D. Solomon
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 1461492750
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 252

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Book Description
This book examines recent developments in Latin American biofuel production. Taking “sustainable development” as a central theme, each chapter considers one country in the region and explores how biofuel production is evolving given concerns about food sovereignty, trade and other social issues. Environmental conservation, as well as an increasingly complex and globalized economic structure, Is also taken into account. The contributions to this volume critically explore the ways in which biofuel production in Latin America impact social, economic and environmental systems: the so-called “three pillars of sustainability". Numerous stakeholders, drawn from government, industry, civil society and academia have attempted to define “Sustainable Development” in the context of biofuel production and to operationalize it through a series of principles, criteria, and highly specific indicators. Nevertheless, it remains a fluid and contested concept with deep political and social ramifications, which each chapter explores in detail.

Sustainable Development of Biofuels in Latin America and the Caribbean

Sustainable Development of Biofuels in Latin America and the Caribbean PDF Author: Barry D. Solomon
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 1461492750
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 252

Get Book

Book Description
This book examines recent developments in Latin American biofuel production. Taking “sustainable development” as a central theme, each chapter considers one country in the region and explores how biofuel production is evolving given concerns about food sovereignty, trade and other social issues. Environmental conservation, as well as an increasingly complex and globalized economic structure, Is also taken into account. The contributions to this volume critically explore the ways in which biofuel production in Latin America impact social, economic and environmental systems: the so-called “three pillars of sustainability". Numerous stakeholders, drawn from government, industry, civil society and academia have attempted to define “Sustainable Development” in the context of biofuel production and to operationalize it through a series of principles, criteria, and highly specific indicators. Nevertheless, it remains a fluid and contested concept with deep political and social ramifications, which each chapter explores in detail.

Biofuel Development in Latin American and the Caribbean

Biofuel Development in Latin American and the Caribbean PDF Author: Cinthya Guerrero
Publisher: GRIN Verlag
ISBN: 364033518X
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 125

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Book Description
Master's Thesis from the year 2008 in the subject Environmental Sciences, grade: 100%, Brandenburg Technical University Cottbus, course: Environmental and Resource Management, language: English, abstract: In the light of availability concerns and environmental implications of fossil fuels, attached with the remarkable rise in the price of oil during the past several years; biofuels are getting a significant increase in interest worldwide from governments, private investors, farmers and the public in general. Nevertheless, the use of cropland for biofuels had become a very controversial topic. On one hand, promoters state that biofuels represent opportunities to increase the energy security and to generate environmental and social benefits (through greenhouse gases emissions reductions and poverty alleviation through rural development respectively). On the other hand, topics such as the effects on food prices and availability, soil fertility and erosion, competition for scarce land and water resources and biodiversity loss are also widely discussed as important concerns related to further development of bioenergy. Notwithstanding this, several developing countries around the world are turning into the biofuels direction to satisfy the demand of developed countries while contributing to their economical growth and/or diversifying their current options of energetic arrangements. For Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), a geographical area with privileged natural resources; home-grown energy crops emerge as an appealing possibility, especially given the example of Brazil, a historical leader in ethanol production. After assessing some core elements of the biofuel's debate, the evidence seems to suggest that biofuels may represent a valuable source of renewable energy. Nonetheless, in order to represent a promise to the LAC region, local governments will be required to firmly normalize land use and agricultural activities, while cautiously shaping public policies. Whe

Sugarcane Bioenergy for Sustainable Development

Sugarcane Bioenergy for Sustainable Development PDF Author: Luis A. B. Cortez
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 0429856199
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 418

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Book Description
In recent years, there has been a rapid expansion of the growing of crops for use in bioenergy production rather than for food. This has been particularly the case for sugarcane in Latin America and Africa. This book examines the further potential in the context of the food versus fuel debate, and as a strategy for sustainable development. Detailed case studies of two countries, Colombia and Mozambique, are presented. These address the key issues such as the balance between food security and energy security, rural and land development policies, and feasibility and production models for expanding bioenergy. The authors then assess these issues in the context of broader sustainable development strategies, including implications for economics, employment generation, and the environment. The book will be of great interest to researchers and professionals in energy and agricultural development.

Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) Report

Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) Report PDF Author: International Assessment of Agricultural Knowledge, Science, and Technology for Development (Project)
Publisher: Iaastd
ISBN:
Category : Agriculture
Languages : en
Pages : 260

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Book Description
The International Assessment of Agricultural Knowledge, Science, and Technology for Development (IAASTD) looks realistically at how we could effectively use agriculture/AKST to help us meet development and sustainability goals. An unprecedented three-year collaborative effort, the IAASTD involved more than 400 authors in 110 countries and cost more than $11 million. It reports on the advances and setbacks of the past fifty years and offers options for the next fifty years. The results of the project are contained in seven reports: a Global Report, five regional Sub-Global Assessments, and a Synthesis Report. The Global Report gives the key findings of the Assessment, and the five Sub-Global Assessments address regional challenges. The volumes present options for action. All of the reports have been extensively peer-reviewed by governments and experts and all have been approved by a panel of participating governments. The Sub-Global Assessments all utilize a similar and consistent framework: examining and reporting on the impacts of AKST on hunger, poverty, nutrition, human health, and environmental/social sustainability. The five Sub-Global Assessments cover the following regions: Central and West Asia and North Africa (CWANA) East and South Asia and the Pacific (ESAP) Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) North America and Europe (NAE) Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA)

Water for Food Security and Well-being in Latin America and the Caribbean

Water for Food Security and Well-being in Latin America and the Caribbean PDF Author: Bárbara A. Willaarts
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1134682875
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 497

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Book Description
This volume provides an analytical and facts-based overview on the progress achieved in water security in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) region over during the last decade, and its links to regional development, food security and human well-being. Although the book takes a regional approach, covering a vast of data pertaining to most of the LAC region, some chapters focus on seven countries (Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico and Peru). A full understanding of LAC’s trends progress requires framing this region in the global context: an ever more globalized world where LAC has an increasing geopolitical power and a growing presence in international food markets. The book’s specific objectives are: (1) exploring the improvements and links between water and food security in LAC countries; (2) assessing the role of the socio-economic ‘megatrends’ in LAC, identifying feedback processes between the region’s observed pattern of changes regarding key biophysical, economic and social variables linked to water and food security; and (3) reviewing the critical changes that are taking place in the institutional and governance water spheres, including the role of civil society, which may represent a promising means to advancing towards the goal of improving water security in LAC. The resulting picture shows a region where recent socioeconomic development has led to important advances in the domains of food and water security. Economic growth in LAC and its increasingly important role in international trade are intense in terms of use of natural resources such as land, water and energy. This poses new and important challenges for sustainable development. The reinforcement of national and global governance schemes and their alignment on the improvement of human well-being is and will remain an inescapable prerequisite to the achievement of long-lasting security. Supporting this bold idea with facts and science-based conclusions is the ultimate goal of the book.

Bioenergy Development

Bioenergy Development PDF Author: Elizabeth Cushion
Publisher: World Bank Publications
ISBN: 9780821381298
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 268

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Book Description
This book provides an overview of current and future bioenergy developments, describes the impacts related to poverty and the environment, assesses the opportunities and challenges and outlines how future World Bank activities related to bioenergy may be linked to poverty alleviation and environmental protection.

Up in Smoke?

Up in Smoke? PDF Author:
Publisher: Oxfam
ISBN: 1904882129
Category : Nature
Languages : en
Pages : 48

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Book Description
The third report from the Working Group on Climate Change and development considering the threat from climate change to the environment and human development in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Low-carbon Development

Low-carbon Development PDF Author: Augusto de la Torre
Publisher: World Bank Publications
ISBN: 0821380818
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 220

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Book Description
Governments and civil society in Latin America and the Caribbean should be well informed about the potential costs and benefits of combating climate change, their policy options over the next decades, and the global context for these policy decisions. At the same time, the global community needs to be better informed about the unique perspective of the Latin American and Caribbean region: problems the region will face, its potential contributions toward combating global warming, and how to maximize this potential while continuing to maintain growth and reduce poverty. This book, a companion volume to Low Carbon, High Growth: Latin American Responses to Climate Change, seeks to help fill both these needs.

Meeting Challenges, Measuring Progress

Meeting Challenges, Measuring Progress PDF Author: Douglas F. Barnes
Publisher: Inter-American Development Bank
ISBN:
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 87

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Book Description
Energy access is an essential prerequisite for economic, social, and human development. The 2015 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) explicitly recognized affordable and clean energy as a key factor in development, alongside education and poverty alleviation. The UN Sustainable Energy for All initiative (SEforALL) mobilizes international donors, countries, and the private sector to help people in developing countries gain access to modern energy services.To assist in support of SEgorALL goals, this joint study of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) provides a comprehensive review of energy poverty policies and programs in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). This report measures the progress and impact of energy-access programs and also documents the experience of successful projects. This study reviews cutting-edge methodologies to assist in program design, shares of experiences of successful programs and develops a vision for reaching sustainable energy for all in the LAC region. With electricity coverage at more than 96 percent, LAC is close to becoming the world’s first developing region to achieve universal access to electricity. Despite recent progress, within LAC there are still substantial pockets of energy poverty. Approximately 21.8 million people are without electricity access. More than 80 million people rely on firewood and charcoal for cooking that is burned in fuel-inefficient, primitive stoves. These traditional cooking technologies emit a significant amount of indoor air pollution (IAP), which has been linked to respiratory illnesses and adverse environmental impacts. Thus, in addition to promoting electricity, energy access programs also might give priority to the promotion of cleaner methods cooking by making available better stoves and cleaner burning fuels at reasonable costs. The report also explores ways to measure energy poverty and monitor energy access in developing countries. The accuracy and effectiveness of tools such as the IEA’s household energy data efforts and the Global Tracking Framework depend on collecting information through standardized national surveys. Approaches to measure energy poverty and monitor energy access have increasingly focused on the provision of energy services such as lighting, space conditioning and cooking. The transition from low-quality energy services to more modern forms can be accomplished in different ways. As households in developing countries adopt electricity and clean methods of cooking, they benefit from higher quality, lower cost and convenient to use appliances. However, measuring the societal and developmental benefits of energy investments--though difficult--is important. Two basic approaches have evolved over the years to measure the benefits of energy access: (i) consumer surplus and (ii) regression-based techniques. The consumer surplus approach evaluates the economic benefits of energy services through measuring increased demand resulting from lower costs of such energy end uses such as lighting, radio and television. When possible, rigorous impact evaluation techniques based on multivariate models can be used to more directly measure the socioeconomic benefits associated with energy access and modern energy services including higher income and improved education. In recent years, new approaches for meeting the requirements of modern and sustainable energy services have emerged. Due to technical and market changes, new types of equipment have become available for providing energy services to rural areas. In LAC, three basic models have been developed to provide rural populations with electricity service: (i) main grid extension, (ii) community networks, and (iii) individual home-based systems (including clean cookstoves).

Sustainable Development of Algal Biofuels in the United States

Sustainable Development of Algal Biofuels in the United States PDF Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies Press
ISBN: 0309260329
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 247

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Book Description
Biofuels made from algae are gaining attention as a domestic source of renewable fuel. However, with current technologies, scaling up production of algal biofuels to meet even 5 percent of U.S. transportation fuel needs could create unsustainable demands for energy, water, and nutrient resources. Continued research and development could yield innovations to address these challenges, but determining if algal biofuel is a viable fuel alternative will involve comparing the environmental, economic and social impacts of algal biofuel production and use to those associated with petroleum-based fuels and other fuel sources. Sustainable Development of Algal Biofuels was produced at the request of the U.S. Department of Energy.