Scramble for biofuel as oil prices rise ‘could push world closer to food crisis’

Demand for biofuels is likely to leap by nearly a third this year, which could send food price inflation soaring further and push the world closer to a global food crisis . More countries are opting to increase biofuel use as the price of oil has jumped to nearly $100 a barrel after the US-Israeli attacks on Iran and the closure of the strait of Hormuz. The US, Indonesia, Brazil , Thailand and others have sought to increase the amount of biofuel – made from a wide variety of organic matter – blended with fossil fuels. Demand for biofuels could increase by 70% by 2030 if oil supplies remain constrained, the Transport & Environment (T&E) thinktank has estimated . Fertiliser supply has also been constrained by the war and prices have soared, leading to rises in the price of staple foods for some of the poorest people in many parts of the world. Experts have warned the world could already be heading for a food crisis . Kädi Ristkok, the energy and climate director at T&E, said biofuels would add to the pressure: “Governments are playing a dangerous game by promoting food for fuel,. Leaders are understandably trying to find solutions to the current oil crisis, but biofuels can never play more than a marginal role in our energy system without devastating consequences. The unintended impacts on food prices and the environment are enormous. …