The energy-food dilemma for utilizing biofuels in low-income communities amidst the Russian–Ukrainian conflict

Abstract

The Russian–Ukraine war has had and will continue to impact global energy and food security; this will increase the pressure on low-income communities due to rising food costs, as some food was used for energy (i.e. cooking oil). In addition to that, rising energy demand, fuel price increases, the need for energy security, climate change, and means of lowering greenhouse gas emissions are significant considerations in all ethical discussions, particularly when considering the human right to food; there is a tension between the usage of land and availability of water and the human need for fuel, such as biofuel. Although biofuels have the potential to alleviate energy difficulties, producing and consuming such fuels raises social, economic, technological, environmental, and ethical concerns due to ethical aspects such as Rights, Duty, Virtue, Utilitarianism, and Sustainability. Furthermore, all participants bear an ethical responsibility to ensure that biofuels are produced and used appropriately, taking into account citizens’ rights to nourishment, well-being, and employment, the environmental sustainability of such fuels, as well as their capacity to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and the equitable distribution of such fuels’ costs and benefits. Using human food to produce biofuels has raised several issues since it may jeopardize the human right to enough sustenance for healthy living. In contrast, current biofuel production and use do not meet environmental sustainability requirements.

Ecological and economic assessment of the effectiveness of implementing bioenergy technologies in the conditions of post-war recovery of Ukraine

“…Strengthening the role of bioenergy is important, particularly in the context that one of the key elements of post-war recovery and economic development in Ukraine will be energy security. Due to the constant shelling and destruction of the energy infrastructure as a result of military actions, along with Ukraine's food and water security [2,3], addressing energy security is crucial today [4]. This issue has become particularly acute for Ukraine and European countries due to their energy dependence on Russian natural gas and other mineral resources.…”