Human Rights

Why is biofuel production an issue in Ghana/African?

Biofuel is an issue because developed countries are embarking on major policy shifts towards the use of biofuel as an alternative source of energy (for heating and transportation). It is thought of as a means to combating climate change resulting from the heavy dependence on fossil fuels.

This policy change has serious implications for developing countries as there is rush for investments and land with serious consequences for livelihoods, food security, the environment and human rights. As a result, small-scale farmers, the poor and vulnerable are battling with food insecurity or hunger, and are often the most hit by the effects of developed countries’ quest for alternative source of energy. In taking sides with these groups, it is not only appropriate and timely, but also our responsibility to make our opinions and demands known on the issue of biofuel production, to ensure people do not unduly suffer from this phenomenon.

This policy brief, covering the implications of biofuel production on food security, livelihoods and rural development, the environment, climate change, energy security and human rights, seeks to present the situation, effects and the position of civil society organizations. It also offers some indications on what policy measures to take, to ensure that the rights of small-scale farmers, the poor and vulnerable groups are respected, protected and fulfilled.

2.0 Bio-fuel production and Food security

2.1 Millions Go Hungry

The world has about a billion people in the developing countries that are chronically hungry. It is estimated that an additional 140 million people, of whom Africa and South Asia will account for over two-thirds, will be at risk of hunger, if biofuels production targets set by powerful economies are to be met in 2030. Biofuel projects are displacing farmers from their productive farm lands for Jatropha and other agrofuel plantation. Consequently this will affect food availability and accessibility among poor small-scale farm families and households. The competition for land for biofuels production by the rich and powerful companies, will lead to low food productivity and food insecurity, among small-scale farmers and the poor.

2.2 Competition between food and fuel

Crops that have become ready candidates worldwide for the development of biofuels include agricultural crops such as corn, soya beans, sugar cane, sorghum, cassava, rapeseed, palm oil, coconut oil, sunflower and Jatropha. Significant proportions of these crops, which otherwise would have been used for food are diverted into ethanol and biodiesel production. Biofuels production has significant implications for countries pursuing extensive production and use of biofuels. Analysis by UN agricultural scientists has indicated that the diversion of crops to fuel can raise food prices and reduce our ability to alleviate hunger.

3.0 Livelihoods and Rural Development

More than 70 percent of the world poor are found in rural areas of developing countries and most of them depend on agriculture for their livelihoods. This sector needs to be given the highest development priority, nationally and internationally. Meanwhile it has been estimated that with the current biofuel targets, crop and agriculture value addition will be increased by just 6 percent in the developed and 3 percent in the developing countries in 2030

Although biofuels production may help in improving livelihoods and rural development, especially when it is undertaken by the local people and meant to address local / community energy needs, destruction of the environment on which rural people depend for their livelihoods, can hamper rural development. Large-scale foreign dominated plantation for biofuel production involving the destruction of local environment will affect the livelihoods and development of the rural communities. Any biofuel production model, which is not supportive of community energy development model that caters for the developmental needs of community members, is an affront to rural dwellers’ right to livelihoods and development.

4.0 Environment: Deforestation and Biodiversity

Most small-scale farmers, the poor and vulnerable in our country, especially in the rural areas depend on the environment for their livelihoods. Naturally, environmental degradation impacts on availability of food. Large-scale plantation cultivation of biofuel crops also entails the increased use of agro-chemicals. These will have serious negative impacts on plant and animal life as well as the quality of water bodies close to the facility. Although biofuel is espoused as ensuring clean environment (as opposed to fossil fuels), the destruction of biodiversity through massive deforestation for large-scale plantations for biofuel is counter-productive.

Since environmental destruction for biofuel production will perpetuate poverty and hunger among affected communities, policy makers are expected to ensure strict enforcement of environmental impact assessment that encompasses the interest of affected communities. More importantly, incentive schemes aimed at avoiding deforestation need to be negotiated in the context of post-Kyoto agreements on combating climate change, when establishing biofuel projects.

5.0 Climate and Energy Security

It is often indicated that biofuel production can have positive impacts such as being considered to be a sustainable and cheap fuel alternative. It reduces carbon dioxide emissions and world dependence on finite oil supplies, and its use, therefore, would solve the energy and climate crisis. Despite these positive aspects of biofuel production, it is feared that the positive impacts and opportunities biofuel production may present, are an unwarranted optimism, since the threats land acquisitions present to people’s livelihoods and ecological sustainability are real. For instance, the estimated global greenhouse gas emissions in 2006 amounted to 45 Gt in carbon dioxide equivalent, of which some 62 percent is energy related. Meanwhile the current biofuels development will not result in greenhouse gas savings until after 2030. Indeed, it must be noted that liquid biofuels are only one among many sources of renewable energy and their efficiency and societal value needs to be assessed vis-à-vis other current and future energy options in the context of comprehensive national and global energy strategies.

6. Human Rights

The enjoyment of fundamental human rights and freedoms could be undermined by biofuel production. The UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, while calling for a 5-year moratorium on biofuel, has described policies of the US and EU for producing biofuels as “crime against humanity”, since by their policies they are contributing to an explosive global food crisis through using food crops to produce fuel.

Large-scale biofuel companies are forcefully ejecting small-scale farmers, denying them of their rights to settlement, livelihoods, social and cultural development and especially their right to food. No doubt that corporatization of land for biofuel production is a threat to Human Rights. Duty bearers should bear in mind that, biofuel must not undermine the Right to Food. Since all human rights are universal, interdependent and indivisible, companies embarking on biofuel production must not violate the rights of small-scale farmers, the poor and vulnerable in the communities that they operate

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"when the voice of the people become so loud the government has no alternative but to listen" Martin Luther King Jnr.

John F. Kennedy once observed that “our problems are man-made, therefore they may be solved by man.”

Kenneth Nana Amoateng
AYICC West African Coordinator
Abibimman Foundation
Ghana National Youth Coalition on Climate Change (GNYCCC)
Energy crossroads-Ghana
GCAP/MDGs-Ghana
Torch-Ghana
IDAY-GHANA
P.O.BOX BT 1 Tema
Flat 1/A 74 Site 3
(OPP T.DC),Commmunit 1
Tema-Ghana/African
E-Mail: amoatengken@yahoo.com
Tel# 233-22-213918
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skype:kenneth.nana.amoateng
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