Biocatalysis

The United Nations World Water Assessment Programme (WWAP) has warned that the sharp increase in biofuel production will cause a significant increase in water demand. According to the report, one of the major problems with biofuels is the need for large quantities of water to grow the crops, estimating that between 1,000 and 4,000 litres of water are needed to produce a single litre of biofuel. The report says that, despite their potential to help reduce dependence on fossil energy, biofuels, with current technology, are likely to place a disproportionate amount of pressure on biodiversity and the environment. Coordinated by the WWAP, the report is the result of a co-operative effort by the 26 UN agencies and entities that make up UN-Water. Read the story here.