PARALLEL SESSION 5C: NETWORKS AND PARTNERSHIPS

​The lone presenter of Parallel Session 5C, Mr. John Paul D. Antes of the Sugar Regulatory Administration, Philippines, explained some of the factors that drive biofuel production among the top 17 biofuel producing nations in the 2007 and 2008 Biofuels Country Attractiveness Indices commissioned by Ernst & Young. Empirical evidence suggests that environmental concerns appear to be the primary motivation behind the exploration and development of biofuels. Gross national income (GNI) is also a significant determinant of biofuel production. However, the effect of GNI on biofuel production for developed economies differs significantly from biofuel production in developing economies. In particular, strong institutions, in the form of markets, infrastructure and legal framework for the development and use of renewable biomass energy, helped develop the industry.

The author concluded that identifying the determinants of biofuels production and using the data of selected countries that are considered to be pioneers in the production of biofuels may help in developing more effective and efficient biofuel policies.

​The session is chaired by Professor Kenichi Nishimura of Osaka University, Japan.