Reviewing commercial prospects of bioethanol as a renewable source of future energy: An Australian perspective

Akbar, DH ORCiD: 0000-0002-2269-5056; Ashwath, N ORCiD: 0000-0002-4032-4507; Rolfe, JC ORCiD: 0000-0001-7659-7040Currently, the world is in search of bioethanol feedstock that does not compete with the human food supply and prime agricultural land. A native plant of Mexico, Agave tequilana, is one such feedstock. This plant can grow in arid, semiarid, or marginal lands with minimum rainfall and fertilizer and without competing with the current agricultural feedstocks [13, 14]. To date, only first-generation biofuel, especially bioethanol, is used in commercial production. However the second-generation biofuels may produce cost-effective fuels, but this is yet to be demonstrated as this option is still in precommercial or research and development phase [12]. This chapter aims to review the trends of bioethanol production and to explore the key factors affecting the commercial viability of producing first-generation bioethanol, with a particular focus on Australia. This chapter begins with the categorization of biofuels and bioethanol followed by a description of bioethanol feedstocks, the factors affecting commercial viability of bioethanol production in Australia. The chapter concludes with a review of costs and benefits of bioethanol production in Australia

How Food Secure are South Africa’s Cities?

Food insecurity in South Africa remains a persistent challenge. Traditionally, food insecurity has been seen as affecting rural areas only, and this perspective had previously informed, and is still informing, policy and food security responses. South Africa is over 60% urbanised and yet policies and mandates regarding food security do not reflect this shift. This chapter seeks to answer the question ‘how food secure are South Africa’s cities?’, describing the state of food insecurity in South Africa’s cities, but also highlighting the specific nature of urban food insecurity. The chapter argues that food insecurity is the result of poorly framed and mandated policies, that food insecurity is driven by changes in the food system, and that spatial and structural issues also drive food insecurity. These challenges are reinforced in cities where the food insecure rely on the market as a means to ensure food availability. South Africa’s cities are food insecure and will remain so within the current market and governance regimes