Government report highlights need for research into cleaner next-generation biofuels

The debate
surrounding the use of biofuels continues today with the publication of the
House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee report,
“Are
biofuels sustainable?”
.

In the report,
committee members acknowledge the power of biofuels to cut greenhouse gas
emissions from road transport, but warn that a more balanced policy is needed
in order to minimise wider environmental damage.

The production of
biofuels continues to be controversial. 
There is concern that first generation biofuels, produced from
conventional crops, may even have a detrimental overall effect on the
environment.  However, the development
of next generation biofuels holds great promise.  Research and technological advances are driving a move towards
“cleaner” biofuels, and efforts are concentrated globally on realising the
potential of this expanding field.  The
ongoing research in this area has wide implications for the environment, and is
a topic of huge significance globally.

BioMed Central
will launch its new journal, Biotechnology for Biofuels,
in the Spring of 2008, overseen by Editors-in-Chief Michael Himmel,
Bärbel Hahn-Hägerdal, Chris Somerville, and Charles Wyman, and supported by an international Editorial BoardBiotechnology for Biofuels will
feature the latest cutting-edge research in the field, reviews and commentary
articles from both Academia and Industry, and will run a blog, dedicated to all
aspects of the biofuels world.

To keep abreast of the latest developments with Biotechnology for Biofuels,
please register to
receive regular updates.

View the latest posts on the On Biology homepage

Comments