Who is helping the world?

Oxfam, a nongovernmental organization dedicated to combating poverty in the world, believes the Brazilian ethanol is the most favorable biofuel in the world in terms of emissions of polluting gases and cost.

The report says that the replacement of traditional fuels by biofuels has led more than 30 million people to poverty and are not helping to combat climate change.

According to the document, the so-called “green policies” of developed countries are contributing to the increase in prices of food - which reaches more poor people.

The text cites as the World Bank, which estimates that the price of food rose 83% in the last three years.

The author of the report, Robert Bailey, criticized the subsidies and tax incentives “generous” granted by rich countries to support its own production of biofuel, including targets and rapidly increasing taxes on imports, which “has been used to protect interests of its farmers “.

“Rich countries spend up to $ 15 billion last year to support its own biofuels at the same time as they prevent the entry of Brazilian ethanol, which is cheaper and is much less harmful to global food security and the environment , “He said.

“This is the same amount that Oxfam says it is necessary to help the poor cope with the crisis of food.”

The report by Oxfam says: “While the production of Brazilian ethanol is far from perfect and present various social problems and environmental sustainability, this is the most favorable biofuel in the world in terms of cost and balance of greenhouse gases”.

The document includes a comparison with the biofuel from corn produced in the United States, saying that their production is highly dependent on fossil fuels, representing “one of the worst” balance between greenhouse gases and use of energy.

The report asks the European Union (EU) to cancel the goal of ensuring that 10% of transport on the block to use biofuels by 2020. Oxfam estimates that the EU target can increase carbon emissions 70 times by 2020 because of the change in the use of land.

There is expectation that another report - the expected “Gallagher report,” a reference to Ed Gallagher, an academic at the head of the Agency for Renewable Fuels of Great Britain - to be released later this week, leading to a review of the goals of Great Britain - Britain and the European Union on the use of fuels derived from plants.

The British government introduced a percentage of 2.5% of biofuels for transport in April last.

Oxfam calls for caution

For developing countries, Oxfam recommends caution in the conduct of its programs to produce biofuels, because although they are “an alternative source of sustainable energy for the poor in marginalised areas, the potential economic costs, social and environmental can be high” .

These countries should plan its programs for long-term, avoiding ambitious targets and analyse the impact of biofuels in society.
Oxfam also provides recommendations for companies and investors. The NGO in its report suggests that they should make sure that none of biofuel project takes place without first obtaining the consent of local communities, and should promote access to energy in remote areas.