Dr David Brown, Chief Executive at the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) has spoken out against recent criticism of biofuels and warned they could still be a key source of global energy supplies in the coming years.

In a letter published in Wednesday’s edition of The Times, Brown warned that a swathe of negative biofuels coverage in the media must not threaten further development: “There are both good and bad biofuels, and if we are to meet rising demands for food, fuel and industrial products, we cannot afford to ignore biofuels or simply dismiss them as wishful thinking.

“While more research is required before we can fully understand their potential, to dismiss them all at this early stage would be ridiculous. Engineering best practice will ensure that any biofuel production that does happen will consider the totality of the new product, including the carbon footprint it creates and its impact on global food and energy supplies.”

With international biofuel experts meeting at the World Biofuels Market Congress in Brussels this week,  Brown went on to warn that suggesting all biofuels should be ruled out would be akin “to suggesting that we should all stop eating food because too much chocolate will rot our teeth.”

Biofuels have come under increased scrutiny in recent months amidst claims first-generation biofuels are to blame for rising food prices with their production coming at the expense of growing crops for food.

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