ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the complexity surrounding energy crop sustainability to identify feasible pathways forward for two case study nations: Australia and Brazil. It focuses on providing advice for policy-makers. The chapter considers actions that could be undertaken by other stakeholders such as landholders, processors, energy suppliers, consumers, investors and non-government organisations (NGOs) to generate the knowledge, technologies, resources and experience necessary for the development of sustainable energy cropping systems. It explores the existing policy environments within Australia and Brazil. The chapter suggests some potential areas of policy reform to promote the most sustainable forms of energy cropping while mitigating the risks of unsustainable energy crops. Both countries have sought to create a policy environment that encourages the use of renewable energy and protects against environmental destruction and the exploitation of vulnerable people. The analysis of Australia and Brazil has been based on an abbreviated policy framework and the policy measures suggested are yet tobe subject to community consultation.
