Ethics and CSR in Biofuel: Two Editorials from Differing Views

This assignment presents two editorials offering contrasting perspectives on the topic of biofuel development and its implications. The first editorial, representing "The Voice of Enterprise," advocates for biofuel as a long-term strategy for reducing foreign oil import bills, promoting economic development, and fostering environmental sustainability. It highlights the potential for job creation and adherence to global climate control protocols. The second editorial, from "The Age of Reason," raises ethical concerns about the transition to biofuel, focusing on potential negative consequences such as rural unemployment, increased food prices, and the uncertain future for farmers whose lands are used for biofuel production. It emphasizes the need for governments to provide alternative training and employment opportunities and to ensure that food production lands are not compromised. The assignment effectively demonstrates the complexities and ethical dilemmas associated with biofuel development from two distinct viewpoints.

Running head: ETHICS AND CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility
NAME OF STUDENT:
NAME OF COLLEGE:
AUTHORS NOTE:
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ETHICS AND CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
Contents
Editorial 1........................................................................................................................................3
Editorial 2........................................................................................................................................5
References........................................................................................................................................7
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Editorial 1
Biodiesel, a long term strategy for reducing foreign oil import bills
Bio-fuel or bio-diesel has been gaining popularity and attention largely in current global scenario
owing to benefits and advantages it offers. It is widely being accepted that most of developed
and developing countries of world are turning towards using bio-fuel or bio-diesel in order to
meet demand of oil and natural gases in country as result of high level of turmoil in international
crude oil and natural gas sector. The other reason which is widely popular regarding increased
demand of bio-fuel is its renewable nature. The production cost of bio-fuel is as follows:
Source- srsintl.com (2018)
Recently, it is being observed globally that government of various countries are developing new
policies and offering various incentives and waivers to domestic oil and natural gas sector
enterprises to boost production of bio-fuel to meet fuel demand of growing middle class
population of country and to reduce import bill of oil and natural gases from other countries. The
voice of Enterprise understands that another main reason for shifting focus of various
governments towards bio-fuel and bio-diesel is due to increased awareness among general
population regarding environmental sustainability and demand for greener sources of energy. As
stated by Abnisa, Arami-niya, Daud, & Sahu(2013) it’s high time that government of various
developing countries shift their focus towards development of infrastructure of country regarding
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production of adequate amounts of bio-fuels and bio-diesel not only to reduce dependence and
import costs of oil and natural gas but also to develop economy as it is known to provide
employment to local population and also increase Gross Domestic Product rate of country.
According to Kuznetsov, Ukolova, Monakhov & Shikhanova (2017) by facilitating development
of bio-fuel and bio-diesel production facilities a country will also be able to adhere to Global
Climate Control Protocol and therefore government of every country should indulge in
development of new policies and providing incentives and waivers to domestic oil and natural
gas production facilities to attract attention and investment towards development of such
facilities. However there are opposing views too that increased bio-fuel farming could lead to
increase in rural unemployment as majority of lands are operated by large co-operatives
comprising of large number of farmers who would disappear. The problem identified by the
opposing parties can be mitigated by government of country by providing adequate employment
opportunity to those farmers. The total global bio-fuel production is as follows:
Source- BP Statistical Review of World Energy 2018 (2018)
Therefore based on data and information collected by Voice of Enterprise, it can be stated that
development of bio-fuel and bio-diesel infrastructure will lead to increased economic
development of country as it helps in reducing oil and natural gas import bill of countries. The
reduction in import will also lead to development of infrastructure of country as government
could utilize money for developing other infrastructure and for national welfare. The
development of bio-fuel and bio-diesel production facility in country will also lead to generation
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ETHICS AND CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
of jobs in bio-fuel and bio-diesel facilities and most important it will help in promoting
environment sustainability by reducing dependence on non-renewable fuels.
Editorial 2
Transition to bio-fuel or not! An ethical dilemma
There has been rapid strides which have been made by various developed and developing
countries regarding development of bio-fuel and bio-diesel facilities in the country in order to
meet fuel demand of countries and also to reduce import bills of oil and natural gas but till date
little attempts have been taken to tackle negative consequences and disruptions which are
associated with widespread popularity of bio-fuel or bio-diesel. Age of Reasons understands that
negative consequences which are associated with development and widespread popularity of bio-
fuel or bio-diesel has outweighed benefits which are associated with widespread development of
such facilities and therefore it is high time for government of various countries to identify and
pay importance to such issues in order to ensure growth and development of their countries from
all aspects.
Age of Reasons understands that there are several negative consequences which are associated
with increased popularity of bio-fuel farming such as loss of employment sources of farmers on
whose land bio-diesel farming facilities would be carried out which also creates an un-certainty
regarding their future as in all possibilities they will not be retained or relocated to other
employment opportunities and even if that is done, they will face difficulty in coping up with
new traditions and way of life. As stated by Sukphisal & Wongsurawat (2017) another negative
consequence is that increased focus on bio-diesel farming will lead to increase of food prices in
country as more land will be allotted for purpose of bio-diesel production and farming than for
food production purpose for human consumption. As stated by Balagurumurthy, Oza, Bhaskar &
Adhikari (2013) in this crucial juncture of time it is required by government of countries
focusing on bio-diesel farming to provide alternative training and employment opportunities to
farmers whose lands are being acquired for bio-diesel farming purpose in bio-diesel production
facility itself so that they do not face risk of uncertain future. According to Sanna (2014) the
government should also ensure that the food production lands are not compromised for bio-diesel
production purpose and farmers do not cultivate mono-cropping but rather focus on mixed
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farming to ensure high fertility and adequate availability of land for food production purposes.
However there are also opposing views regarding current issues which states that rural un-
employment will not take place as result of increased focus on bio-farming as bio-fuel sector
company could be directed by government to provide training and employment opportunities to
farmers whose lands will be acquired which would help in providing employment to farmers.
Based on research conducted by Age of Reasons it can be sated that in order to avoid negative
consequences associated with development of bio-fuel or bio-diesel facilities, every government
should focus on providing employment opportunities to farmers and other individuals who are
affected by development of such facilities and therefore it is highly advisable that government of
those countries provide training and employment opportunities mainly to farmers in bio-fuel or
bio-diesel sector so that there arises no questions regarding their future uncertainty. The
government should also ensure that they do not compromise food production farming due to bio-
diesel farming by assigning land accordingly for bio-fuel farming so that it does not affect food
production farming.
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References
Abnisa, F., Arami-niya, A., Daud, W. M., A, W., & Sahu, J. N. (2013).Characterization of bio-
oil and bio-char from pyrolysis of palm oil wastes.Bioenergy Research, 6(2), 830-840.
doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s12155-013-9313-8
Balagurumurthy, B., Oza, T. S., Bhaskar, T., & Adhikari, D. K. (2013). Renewable hydrocarbons
through biomass hydropyrolysis process: Challenges and opportunities. The Journal of
Material Cycles and Waste Management, 15(1), 9-15.
doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10163-012-0097-2
bp.com (2018) Review of world energy.Retrieved
from-http://www.bp.com/en/global/corporate/energy-economics/statistica-review-of-
world-energy.htmlAccessed as on 18/12/2018
Kuznetsov, N. I., Ukolova, N. V., Monakhov, S. V., & Shikhanova, J. A. (2017). Economic
research of transfer of technologies for manufacturing high-tech production: Bio-
fuel. Journal of Environmental Management & Tourism, 8(3), 606-611.
doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.14505/jemt.v8.3 (19).11
Sanna, A. (2014). Advanced biofuels from thermochemical processing of sustainable
biomass. Bioenergy Research, 7(1), 36-47. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s12155-013-9378-
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srsintl.com(2018) Bio-fuel production cost.Retrieved from
http://srsintl.com/technologies/esterification/ Accessed as on 18/12/2018
Sukphisal, B., & Wongsurawat, W. (2017).Challenges for the development of an integrated agro-
food-energy-biochemical nexus. Journal of Science and Technology Policy
Management, 8(2), 181-205. Retrieved from
https://search.proquest.com/docview/1915759002?accountid=30552
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