SUSTAINABILITY ISSUES AND STRATEGIES OF BIOFUEL DEVELOPMENT IN SOUTHEAST ASIA

Abstract

Biofuels remain the crux of contention as ASEAN countries continue to entrench these agrobased fuels to fulfill the energy security agenda at the cost of forest-dependent communities who have reported varying degrees of social, environmental and economic impacts. Numerous studies have been published based on these impacts. The role of ASEAN in shaping the future of bio-energy is important, but this has not been studied enough, which is the reason for this dissertation. ASEAN as a regional bloc is yet to drive sustainability in biofuels, but can do so if it pays heed to the resource nexus of land, food, energy and water within the context of governance and market forces. Governance in biofuels is important, and is no longer dependent on conventional actors such as governmental entities but on non-governmental organisations, financial institutions, and civic groups. Resource trade cycle and life cycle analyses are two models that need to be included in the evaluation of biofuel influences and impacts. Recommendations are made towards the sustainable development of biofuels that include making policy changes, regulating capital and market flows, as well as instituting standards and best practices. Sustainable development is discussed in this light, and a new definition is offered.