Researchers from the Institute for Future Energy Consumer Needs and Behavior, Institute for Market Analysis and Agricultural Trade Policy, and the Energy, Transportation and Environment Department (all in Germany) report a "concise, but exhaustive overview of policies that have promoted the rise of the biofuels industry across the world. The major biofuel-producing countries are reviewed individually, taking note of the regulations, incentives, output targets and principal feedstocks used. Analysis of the information was used to identify both the driving forces behind the rise of biofuel production, and the agricultural products that are directly affected. The review of the major biofuel-producing countries are grouped according to continents as follows: North America (Canada, United States of America), South America (Argentina,Brazil, Colombia), Europe (the European Union, France, Germany), Asia (China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand) and Australia. Among the conclusions of the review are: (1) government policy has been the driving force for biofuel production, and the key instruments have been mandatory blending targets, and economic incentives; (2) debates regarding the impacts of biofuels on food security and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions have prompted the initiation of new rules for bioethanol and biodiesel production (for example, the promotion of second-generation biofuel feedstocks); and  (3) the issue related to the sustainability of biofuels will challenge policy makers, as biofuels production continues to expand. The full paper is published in the journal, Energy Policy.