ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the concerns that have arisen, the research that has been undertaken to better understand the problem and the range of solutions that have been either implemented or proposed to protect food security while enabling growth in bio-energy production. In addition to the environmental concerns surrounding climate change and deforestation that have made energy crops controversial, social issues have also raised to prominence in relation to bio-energy sustainability. The potential solutions proposed by the OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID) study included limiting further increases in the production of first-generation bio-fuels to feedstock's that were demonstrably surplus to food needs and focusing on second-generation feedstock's grown on land that is not required for food or animal feed. After actively promoting the use of corn for ethanol production over the period 1999-2008, the Chinese Government changed tack, responding to concerns around rising grain prices by halting the construction of new corn-to-ethanol plants.
