Study finds China’s biofuel development facing severe challenges

A joint study regarding the development and promotion of liquid biofuels in China was conducted by the Center for Chinese Agricultural Policy, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Department of Financial and Management Studies, SOAS, University of London; Food Security and the Environment Program, Stanford University. According to the study, although the Chinese government has set biofuel development goals for the coming years, the country has been pushed to move from cereal-based to non-cereal-based biofuel production because of the prevailing concern on food security. The study concluded that China has already put much emphasis on utilizing new marginal lands for feedstock production. China’s biofuel development targets were found to be cautious but feasible, although there are severe challenges regarding the sustainability of the project. (June 1, 2012)