Towards a Strategy for Sustainable Production and Trade of Bioenergy
4th December 2007 • Co-organised with Stockholm Environment Institute; IEA Bioenergy Task 40
Biofuels production is expanding worldwide, with implications for agriculture and energy, environment, development and trade. Biofuels could offer countries the potential to curb carbon dioxide emissions, diversify their energy supply, and create new employment, production and trade opportunities in the agricultural sector. However, the global agenda on biofuels raises several policy issues at the heart of sustainable development. These relate to environmental sustainability, social justice and equity as well as economic viability of biofuels as alternative sources of energy. Given the divide between regions with the largest demand and those with the highest production potential, international trade in biofuels and feedstocks is expected to grow in the years to come. Several trade and policy issues arise in this context, relating to the removing of barriers to international trade and to the crafting of trade rules, but also to the broader implications for trade in agriculture and industrial products that are involved in the production and processing of biofuels. Policies and strategies need to be designed carefully such that domestic supply and international trade in biofuels are aligned with other priorities in the agricultural and energy sectors, and to ensure that effective and fair mechanisms are in place to guarantee environmental sustainability. This event will bring together a panel of experts from intergovernmental organisations, government and policy research institutions to address this vast array of economic, social and environmental questions that arise as countries formulate their policies on biofuels.