Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://hdl.handle.net/10419/26803
Year of Publication: 
2008
Series/Report no.: 
Ruhr Economic Papers No. 38
Publisher: 
Rheinisch-Westfälisches Institut für Wirtschaftsforschung (RWI), Essen
Abstract: 
Interest in biofuels is growing worldwide as concerns about the security of energy supply and climate change are moving into the focus of policy makers. With the exception of bioethanol from Brazil, however, production costs of biofuels are typically much higher than those of fossil fuels.As a result,promotion measures such as tax exemptions or blending quotas are indispensable for ascertaining substantial biofuel demand.With particular focus on developing countries, this paper discusses the economic justification of biofuel promotion instruments and investigates their implications. Based on data from India and Tanzania, we find that substantial biofuel usage induces significant financial costs. Furthermore, acreage availability is a binding natural limitation that could also lead to conflicts with food production.Yet, if carefully implemented under the appropriate conditions, biofuel programs might present opportunities for certain developing countries.
Subjects: 
Renewable energy
environmental policy
government policy
economic development
JEL: 
O38
Q42
Q56
ISBN: 
978-3-86788-036-7
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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