Impacts of biofuel crop production in southern Africa: land use change, ecosystem services, poverty alleviation and food security

In sub-Saharan Africa, biofuels have been touted as more sustainable alternatives to fossil fuels, wood and charcoal – but do they help alleviate poverty and improve well-being for farmers and end-users? This brief summarises insights from a three-country study in which an ecosystem services approach was to assess the trade-offs surrounding biofuel production and household use.