The incipient global bioenergy boom is giving rise to vigorous and strongly polarized debate. Different underlying aims, such as reducing dependence on imported oil and gas or using biofuels to reduce the CO2 emissions of road traffic, predominate in different quarters and shape the political agenda.

Supporters of bioenergy argue that, at a time of sharply increasing demand for energy, bioenergy can help to secure energy supply and to mitigate climate change as well as create development opportunities, particularly in the rural areas of industrialized and developing countries.

Critics, on the other hand, maintain that growing energy crops will heighten landuse conflicts as food cultivation, nature conservation and bioenergy production compete for land, and that bioenergy is likely to impact negatively on the climate. Because of the dynamics and huge complexity of the issue, as well as the considerable scientific uncertainty and the multiplicity of interests involved, it has not as yet been possible to carry out an integrated assessment of the contribution bioenergy can make to sustainable development. WBGU aims to show that the sustainable use of bioenergy is possible and to outline how to exploit opportunities while at the same time minimizing risks.