Bioenergy

Policy Framework

A policy framework for the bioenergy sector is often shaped by policies in various sectors, mainly agriculture, energy, environment and trade. The interaction between national, regional and global policies as well as business and investment policies not only will determine the “enabling environment” but will also significantly influence the scope of the development of the bioenergy sector. FAO/G. Bizzarri

The major policy objectives driving biofuel expansion are energy security, climate change mitigation, agricultural and rural development, and, for some biofuel-producing countries, export diversification. Government support typically takes the form of production subsidies and tax exemptions, fuel blending mandates, and tariffs. These instruments have introduced market distortions which have favoured domestic production and frequently inefficient technologies. Market distortions have also hampered international trade, thereby depriving developing countries of the opportunity to build upon a comparative advantage in feedstock production.

The expansion of bioenergy development can help make the case for increased support towards the agricultural sector of many countries through the strengthening of its institutions and policies. Many opportunities and challenges associated with sustainable bioenergy production especially those related to the production of feedstock for liquid biofuels, are the same as those related to agricultural expansion and intensification. Measures to ensure that bioenergy production is conducive to reducing poverty and hunger should include among other aspects policy support for the participation of small-scale farmers and women.

In addition, environmental regulations are required to guarantee that the impacts of bioenergy production on land, biodiversity, water and soil are minimised. In some cases models already exist for mitigating the risks involved with large-scale bio-mass production, especially related to feedstock for liquid biofuel production.

Internationally agreed upon standards and other certifications models for production, conversion, use and trade of bioenergy systems that protect both the environment and society are also essential as the use of biomass for energy increases. Efforts are currently being made to converge existing programmes and formulate internationally agreed upon criteria on biomass for bioenergy production that are flexible enough to take into consideration the diverse environmental and socio-economic conditions of the agricultural, energy and environmental sector of each country.

FAO's Work

Throughout the years FAO has provided advisory services to countries at both national and local levels for the design and implementation of bioenergy policies, strategies, programmes, and projects involving agro-industries and other relevant rural energy partners.

FAO has also contributed to the drafting of the UN publication on bioenergy entitled "UN Energy: Sustainable Bioenergy - A Framework for Decision Makers" 

In addition the FAO with support from the Italian Government is currently hosting the Secretariat of the Global Bioenergy Partnership (GBEP) launched in 2006 to support the development of renewable energy. GBEP brings together public, private and civil society stakeholders in a joint commitment to promote bioenergy for sustainable development. Building its activities upon three strategic pillars: energy security, food security and sustainable development, the partnership's main functions are to: 

• promote global high-level policy dialogue on bioenergy and facilitate international cooperation;
• support national and regional bioenergy policy-making and market development;
• favour efficient and sustainable uses of biomass and develop project activities in the bioenergy field;
• foster exchange of information, skills and technologies through bilateral and multilateral collaboration;
• facilitate bioenergy integration into energy markets by tackling specific barriers in the supply chain.

It also aims to provide a forum to develop effective policy frameworks to:

• suggest rules and tools to promote sustainable biomass and bioenergy development;
• facilitate investments in bioenergy;
• promote project development and implementation;
• foster R&D and commercial bioenergy activities.

Most recently, GBEP has formed a task force working on harmonizing methodologies for Life-Cycle-Analysis (LCA) and developing standards for its measurement. They have also compiled an inventory of current initiatives on sustainable bioenergy development.

For more information on its activities please visit  http://www.globalbioenergy.org/