Regional Forum on Bioenergy Sector Development: Challenges, Opportunities, and the Way Forward. Aide Memoir

Transcription

1 Regional Forum on Bioenergy Sector Development: Challenges, Opportunities, and the Way Forward January 2008, Bangkok, Thailand Aide Memoir Agriculture and rural development strategies are a critical component of an inclusive growth strategy for Asia and the Pacific region. In particular, the production and use of bioenergy in its modern forms can have a major and positive impact on agricultural development and the environment. If bioenergy becomes a major source of energy, it could have a profound influence in many rural areas of developing countries. It could possibly speed up socio-economic development, and a large number of farmers could increase food production and their own energy in a sustainable manner. The world biofuel production is on a sharp rise since 2000; biomass currently supplies about a third of energy in developing countries. It is now increasingly realized that there is considerable potential for the modernization of biomass fuels to produce convenient energy carrier, such as electricity, gas, and transportation fuels, while continuing to provide for traditional uses of biomass. The potential socio-economic benefits of modern biomass energy arise from the fact that agriculture could face enormous demand for feedstock. This feedstock will need to be produced, harvested, transported, converted into biofuels, and distributed for final utilization. The modernization of biomass and the necessary industrial investment are already happening in many countries. Since the biomass-based energy is a labour-intensive sector, particularly favourable for rural development, agro-energy employment could be a large source of employment in the future. It is important, however, to note that the future use of bioenergy must be strongly linked to high energy efficiency, environmentally-sustainable production and use. Policy-makers must assess the impact of producing biofuels on food security due to potential change in land use and switch in plantation of agricultural crops; that is, economic and environmental tradeoffs in terms of food/feed/fuel production and security should be carefully assessed. Furthermore, the processing and conversion technology dimension of biofuel development and production is another important aspect to be considered by the policy-makers at the country level. Future bioenergy technologies may rely on dedicated energy crops and agricultural and timber wastes instead of food crops. Second generation technologies of bioenergy production and processing could potentially make a higher contribution to energy security and climate change mitigation. As countries move to strengthen their energy security by increasing their use of biofuels, they should also work to ensure poor people s and small farmers participation in the creation of a more sustainable energy system. With sound technology and trade polices, win-win solutions are possible with bioenergy in developing countries and positive outcomes for the poor as well as for energy efficiency. Innovative economic instruments such as the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) and the carbon market trading should be more utilized in order to leverage additional private and public funding for bioenergy production in developing countries under the Kyoto Protocol, and to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions causing climate change. In addition, supportive measures for the establishment of a CDM infrastructure and the creation of CDM-friendly regulatory and business environments are required to leverage carbon finance and payments for ecosystem services and sustainable agriculture development.

2 Strategy The United Nations Asian and Pacific Centre for Agricultural Engineering and Machinery (APCAEM) has supported capacity building for Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) by researching the issues involved in the CDM applied to the agricultural sector, disseminating findings, and formulating pilot projects. APCAEM has participated in the CDM application projects such as; International Seminar on Biogas Technology for Poverty Reduction and Sustainable Development (2005); Agricultural Biotechnology-based Green Enterprise Development for Sustainable Rural Livelihoods and Economic Growth - Phase I - (2007); International Seminar on Enhancing the Extension of Conservation Agriculture Techniques (2007). As part of the CDM programme under the current Kyoto Protocol and in the aftermath of the UN Conference on Climate Change in Bali, Indonesia in December 2007, UNESCAP-APCAEM is organizing a Regional Forum on Bioenergy Sector Development: Challenges, Opportunities, and the Way Forward, in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture of Thailand. United Nations agencies, ADB, inter-governmental organizations, the private sectors and NGOs will be invited to share their experiences and latest information and knowledge (at the regional and country level) on the bioenergy sector development: challenges, opportunities and the way forward. In addition, key stakeholders from 18 countries in Asia and the Pacific will be invited to participate in the Regional Forum to share their experiences and the current status on bioenergy sector development. The outcome of the Forum is expected to guide the formulation of capacity building programmes for policy makers, development practitioners and the CDM projects on bioenergy. The Forum will also provide a platform for the exchange of best practices and innovative solutions on how to foster public/private partnerships that will promote bioenergy development, bio-energy trade and investment in the region. Objectives The objectives of the Forum are to address: 1. Comprehensive issues in bioenergy development, including the current status in Asia and the Pacific; 2. Possibilities for developing bioenergy source while ensuring a balance between its potential benefits and risks associated with environmental sustainability and food security; 3. Review of current bioenergy processing/conversion technologies for biofuels, biogas and biomass, and the next generation technologies; 4. CDM project financing and investment in green business opportunities; 5. Recommendations on viable policy, strategy, framework, and the way forward for the bioenergy sector development in the region. Expected Outcomes 1. Information and experience sharing among participating organizations and countries on existing policies, current and future programmes, projects and initiatives related to bioenergy development 2. Identification of policy, strategies and regulatory frameworks, guiding principles on bioenergy development while minimizing the risks for small-scale producers

3 3. Establishment of a possible regional bioenergy network to promote information sharing on bioenergy crops and feedstocks, processing technology, trade, investment, environmental/ecological issues, and regional/subregional cooperation Tentative Topics Participants Funding 1. Biofuels Development in Asia and the Pacific Exploring the tremendous growth opportunities for biofuels in Asia and the Pacific Next generation biofuel applications using the dedicated energy crops Case studies on large/small scale biofuels 2. Biogas and Biomass Development in Asia and the Pacific Biogas and biomass market potential in Asia from available waste streams and energy crops Promoting biogas development for green business case studies: Generating methane-rich biogas from agricultural and food industry waste Practical issues and lessons from large/small scale producers 3. Next Generation Technology of Bioenergy Emerging global feedstock for biofuels, e.g. algae, biomass to liquid (BTL) fuels Next generation bioenergy: Understanding the true market potential and opportunity of next generation biofuels Towards next generation bioenergy: The potential for biofuel in CDM projects 4. Climate Change and Green Business Opportunities Creating financing and investment strategies for the development of green business opportunities Developing and pursing CDM projects in Asia and the Pacific Investment activities by UN agencies and regional/bilateral development partners in relation to bioenergy 1. Policy-makers in charge of agro-industry and bioenergy from the Asian and Pacific countries: Australia, Cambodia, China, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Mongolia, Nepal, Philippines, Republic of Korea, and Thailand 2. Experts from UNESCAP, the United Nations agencies (FAO, UNIDO, ADB and UNDP), and bilateral development organizations (SNV), and national institutions 3. Selected representatives from the private sector: energy producers, venture capitals, automotive industries, entrepreneurs, farmers associations APCAEM has some funding resources to support the participation of experts and government officials from selected member countries of UNESCAP. The co-organizer will provide in-kind support such as the conference venue, arrangement of technical visit, and other logistic arrangements. Participation and Registration

4 Participants comprise policy-makers, experts, NGOs, representatives from the private sector involved in agro-industry, bioenergy and the environment. Please complete attached registration form and fax or it no later than 18 January 2008 to the organizer. No registration fee is required. Papers and Case Studies Papers will be published in the Forum proceedings. Speakers should submit in English, typed in Times New Roman 12 point, and not exceed 30 standard A4 pages with single line spacing and page numbering. One page maximum of executive summary should be provided. Experts and participants are requested to submit their papers in electronic format to the organizers before 12 January The organizer reserves the right to edit, shorten or reject papers which do not meet the minimum quality standards. Working Language The Forum will be conducted in English and all documentations will be written in English. Time and Venue The Forum will be held on January 2008 at: Maruay Garden Hotel 1 Phaholyothin Road Ladyao Chatuchak Bangkok Thailand Tel: Fax: Presentation The conference room will be equipped with a computer (Windows XP) and a projector. Please prepare your presentation in MS PowerPoint for Windows and save your file in a USB stick, removable hard disc, or CD. Please copy your file to the designated computer at registration desk by ONE DAY BEFORE the day of your presentation. Cancellations Participants who can not attend the meeting due to unforeseeable circumstances must inform the Secretariat at least one week before the planned departure date. Information on Visa Participants requiring a visa to enter Thailand are requested to submit an application to the Royal Thai Embassy in their respective capitals or other Thailand diplomatic missions, as may be appropriate in particular circumstances. Secretariat of the Forum Ms. Cindy Zhou United Nations Asian and Pacific Centre for Agricultural Engineering and Machinery (APCAEM) A 7/F, China International Science and Technology Convention Centre No. 12 Yumin Road, Chaoyang District

5 Beijing , P.R. China Tel: , 3581; Fax: Website: