The Top Five Biofuel Crops

Palm Oil (4/5)

Major cultivation regions: Indonesia, Malaysia

Worldwide production in 2006: 33.3 million tons

Sustainability:
+ energy balance: relatively high energy output, biomass can be used to fuel extraction process
- staple food: biodiesel production increases prices
- clearing of rainforest to create new plantations
- often exported to Europe and United States: transport requires energy and creates emissions

(Photo: Reuters)