The increasing use of biofuels internationally introduces the risk that crops grown for biofuel use on existing farmland displace crops grown for other uses, increasing the pressure to clear new land for agriculture. This knock-on effect is known as Indirect Land Use Change (ILUC).

This report considers the potential to reduce the risk of ILUC by actions taken at a regional level, for example by a region with a country, a national government or an international body such as the European Union.

The report is in two parts. Part 1 considers the potential for ILUC reducing actions in general and whether indicators could be developed to measure the progress of such actions. Part 2 then looks at two case studies to investigate what actions are currently being taken and the potential for further actions.

The report finds that, while there are a number of actions that could be taken, these actions vary depending on the region and biofuel feedstocks considered. The report adds to the evidence base on approaches to mitigate ILUC. This is first detailed review of these approaches and further work will be required to develop these ideas.

• Regional level actions to avoid indirect land use change (ILUC), Executive summary (PDF –597 KB)
• Regional level actions to avoid ILUC, Report Phase One (PDF –1.40 MB)
• Regional level actions to avoid ILUC, Report Phase Two (PDF –1.38 MB)