Sweeter by the Gallon

However, the great bulk of bioethanol will come from countries with hot climates. Per Carstedt, chairman of the BioAlcohol Fuel Foundation and driving force behind the Swedish industry, sees a golden opportunity for Tony Blair to combine his two G8 priorities – global warming and Africa. Carstedt believes that, by 2020, at least 100 million cubic metres of bioethanol fuel will be imported into Europe, mainly from Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean.

The ground rules have to be set now, he says, to ensure it is done on a sustainable basis that brings prosperity, rather than the suffering that has so often accompanied oil wealth.

‘The scale of this new industry could result in the destruction of rainforests, pollution of rivers and the use of slave labour,’ says Carstedt. ‘But if African countries are helped to build the industry and international certification is introduced from the start, based on sustainability, this can be a far more effective instrument than aid.’
The Observer