JUST when it appeared that the world had found a means of easing one big problem (carbon emissions) it looks like the chosen solution is contributing to other woes. That, in a nutshell, is the current debate over biofuels.

The World Bank president, Robert Zoellick, has just added fuel to the fire (so to speak) by calling for reform to biofuel policies in Europe and America. Mr Zoellick, speaking on the sidelines of the G-8 summit, said biofuels (especially those made from rapeseed and corn in those two regions) were contributing to rising food prices. Mr Zoellick is not the first to make the observation, but the timing of his remarks, at a top-level summit where food and fuel prices are high on the agenda, give them added punch.

Britain has just announced plans to slow its transition to biofuels, citing worries about the impact on both food prices and land use. Ruth Kelly, the transport minister, told the Commons on Monday that "it is right to adopt a more cautious approach until the evidence is clearer about the wider environmental and social effects of biofuels." In addition, she added, more time is needed for sustainable biofuel technologies to be developed.

Ms Kelly's remarks followed publication of a report on the environmental and social impact of biofuels by the government's Renewable Fuels Agency. The so-called Gallagher Review calls for a shift in the renewable transport fuel obligation, which sets a percentage of biofuels to be mixed into road transport fuel in the coming years, and recommended a lower percentage than current plans call for.

Green groups said the review did not go far enough, and renewed their calls for biofuel targets in the fuel plan to be scrapped entirely.

(Photo credit: Reuters)