Biofuels: Ethical Issues Launch Seminar April 13, 2011 London
Increasing concerns about climate change, energy security and economic development are driving the production of liquid biofuels for transport. Current biofuel production, which mainly uses food crops, has led to deforestation and disputes over rising food prices and land use. New approaches to biofuels, such as those using non-food crops and algae, are being developed with the aim of meeting our energy demands whilst avoiding the problems of the past.
Over the past 18 months, a Working Party chaired by Professor Joyce Tait of Edinburgh University has explored the ethical and social issues raised by current and new types of biofuels. The report will make recommendations for biofuels policy in areas including human rights, environmental sustainability and climate change.
At this seminar, members of the Working Party will present and discuss the Council’s findings in a series of talks and breakout sessions.
Chair: Julian Rush, Science and Environment journalist.
Speakers include:
- Professor Joyce Tait, Chair of the Working Party and Scientific Adviser to the Innogen Centre, Edinburgh University
- Dr Mike Adcock, Director, Master of Laws Programme, Durham University
- Dr Guy Barker, Director, Genomics Resource Centre, University of Warwick
- Professor Simon Caney, Professor in Political Theory, University of Oxford
- Professor Robin Gill, Professor of Applied Theology, University of Kent and Member of the Nuffield Council on Bioethics
- Professor Ottoline Leyser, Professor of Plant Development, University of Cambridge and Member of the Nuffield Council on Bioethics
- Dr Nigel Mortimer, Director, North Energy Associates Ltd, Sheffield
- Professor Christine Raines, Professor of Plant Biology, University of Essex
- Ian Smale, Head of Strategy and Policy, BP
- Dr Jim Watson, Director, Sussex Energy Group, University of Sussex, and Deputy Leader, Climate Change & Energy Programme, The Tyndall Centre
Copies of the report will be available at the seminar. Admission is free but places must be booked in advance. To book your place, please contact Sarah Bougourd:
Email: sbougourd@nuffieldbioethics.org Tel: +44 (0)20 7681 9619
If you are unable to attend the seminar, copies of the report will be available to download from 13 April. Printed copies can also be ordered in advance using the same contact details as above. These are free if ordered before 20 April. READ MORE and MORE (Allianz; interview by James Tulloch with Dr. Nigel Mortimer)
