SciDev.Net

The Chilean government will fund up to 58 per cent of research and development projects aimed at producing biofuels from wood biomass.

A new policy will increase India's biofuel production and the proportion of bio-ethanol and biodiesel in its fuels.

The Brazilian government seeks to minimise the potential impact of biodiesel on the environment and public health, among other goals.

The Kenyan courts might halt a US$370 million biofuel project, following complaints from various environmental and nomadic groups.

Brazilian bioenergy research has received a boost with the launch of a new research programme in São Paulo aiming to foster collaboration.

G8 leaders pledge to cut carbon emission levels to 50 per cent by 2050, but developing countries continue to insist on more concrete targets.

Chile is offering US$6 million for projects joining the private-public sectors, to develop and commercialisehigh tech biofuel.

Scientists have developed a method that boosts the yield and slashes the cost of producing biogas from rice-harvest waste.

The new Peruvian environment minister has established guidelines for the production of biofuels, pleading for more scientific research.

Using China's 'idle land' — often home to diverse species — to produce biofuels could post a threat to biodiversity, warn experts.

The public and private sectors in Paraguay have committed their support to scientific research in biofuels.

Climate change will cause major agricultural losses in the Middle East and North Africa, warns the UN.

A round up of news from or about South Asia for the period 17 February–3 March 2008.

The UN Food and Agriculture Organization have begun trials of a bioenergy assessment tool in three developing nations.

Two new research papers indicate that biofuel production can carry an unrecognised cost by indirectly increasing carbon emissions.

Biofuel technology should be transferable to developing countries and must focus on sustainable production, urges the UK Royal Society.

After 15 years of negotiations, Chile has approved a law to promote forestry research and sustainable use of its native forest.

Nepal is to establish a new science laboratory, due to open in 2010, to research energy, the environment and biotechnology.

A round up of news from or about Sub-Saharan Africa for the period 3–17 December 2007.

Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay are to collaborate on research and policy to increase their biofuel production.