Biofuels may harm environment

Extensive cultivation of biofuel crops, aimed at reducing the greenhouse gas or carbon emissions, have posed the "risk of ultimately harming the environment", experts have said.

Scientists taking part in an ecology conference in Panama City said that deforestation and land-use changes for biofuel crops are harming environment as much as fossil fuels like coal and petroleum, EFE reported on Sunday.

The forum was organised by the Panama-based Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI).

STRI scientist William Laurance said the diversion of farm belts to biofuel crops also is leading to large increases in the prices of corn, soy and palm oil.

"Looking 30 years ahead, creating energy with palm oil will reduce carbon emissions by 30 tons per hectare, but that doesn't take into account forest loss," said biologist Renton Righelato of the organization World Land Trust, which protects habitats at risk.