The current debate on biofuels has now been raging for while. Within the European Union, it has increasingly drawn the attention of politicians, civil servants and society at large. The policies of the EU itself have come under particular scrutiny in this regard. With this paper, Both ENDS presents an overview of the considerations, dilemmas and contradictions involved, many of which have so far been insufficiently addressed.

This policy note analyses current European agrofuel policies in terms of their effects on nature and poverty. It argues that agrofuels are exacerbating climate change and that their development is infringing on the land rights of the poor, thus exacerbating poverty. Agrofuels are infringing on the intrinsic existence right of nature, as well as on the right of the poor to sufficient land to produce food.