G8 leaders meeting in Japan this week pledged to promote clean energy and carbon trading to curb greenhouse gas emissions and recognized the importance of sustainable biofuel production.

The heads of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, the U.K., and the U.S. said they will work to develop science-based benchmarks and indicators for biofuel production and use. The leaders also said they are committed to “continuing research and development of second generation biofuels made from non-food plant materials and inedible biomass.”

Renewable Fuels Association president Bob Dinneen was pleased with the position taken by the world leaders. “The leaders of the G8 nations clearly understand the need of world’s nations and peoples to develop, produce and use renewable fuels like ethanol,” Dinneen said in a statement. “On behalf of America’s burgeoning ethanol industry and the farmers upon which it relies, we welcome the challenge to increase the sustainable production and use of biofuels. The G8 statement clearly recognizes the goal of biofuels policy which is to build upon the existing industry while moving aggressively to second generation production from wood chips, switchgrass, garbage and other cellulosic materials.”