Empirical Evidence on the Determinants of Biofuels Production: Implications for Developed and Developing Economies

John Paul D. Antes (Sugar Regulatory Administration)

Surging fossil fuel prices, concerns about energy security, and issues of climate change have been generating anxiety in both developed and developing economies. According to the International Energy Agency, it is expected that between 2003 and 2030 the world consumption of marketed energy will escalate by 71%, with Asia nearly tripling its energy needs. Of the forms of energy currently on the market, fossil fuels, particularly oil for transportation,  remain the primary source of energy at 79% global final energy consumption and global demand continues to be driven by the transport and industry sectors around the world. Therefore, policies, plans and programs to move towards full development and utilization of transport biofuels are imperative for further growth. One step to boosting the development of biofuels is to identify and evaluate the factors that may influence or affect the production of biofuels.

This study concentrates only on top 17 biofuel-producing nations appeared as leaders in the 2007 and 2008 Biofuels Country Attractiveness Indices commissioned by Ernst & Young. Apparently, these countries have existing markets, infrastructures and legal framework to support the development and utilization of renewable biomass energy particularly the bioethanol and biodiesel. Most of these biofuels are energy sources that use sugars, starches, or vegetable oils for fuel additives.

Powerpoint Presentation