Posted May 2000
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The energy activities of FAO are carried out through the Organization's network of over 80 national, seven regional and subregional offices and its Rome-based headquarters. In addition to the UN secretariat, FAO collaborates with many different regional and international institutions - including UNDP, WEC, IEA, UNESCO, UNEP, AfDB, SIDA, SEI and OLADE - in energy and rural development projects and in the implementation of international environmental conventions such as UNFCCC, IPCC, CBD and CCD. |
FAO assists member countries with the implementation of the Nairobi Programme of Action on New and Renewable Sources of Energy as well as with the adoption of Agenda 21, which calls for an energy transition to enhance rural and agricultural productivity. International environmental conventions, the World Food Summit and the Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD) process also have implications for energy in rural areas and thus on FAO's energy activities.
FAO also assists countries to meet their energy requirements in agriculture, forestry and fisheries, as a means of achieving sustainable development. FAO maintains that a transition from the present energy supply of mainly fuelwood and other biomass fuels and animal and human power, to a more diversified resource base, increasingly utilizing renewable energies and a more modern use of biomass, is key to attaining sustainable livelihoods and improving the living conditions of rural populations. The role of renewable energy sources and, in particular, of bioenergy in carbon sequestration and substitution is of increasing interest in the context of the Climate Change Convention. FAO assists countries in strengthening their institutional and human capacities to implement rural energy programmes and in establishing bioenergy programmes within the framework of the Kyoto Protocol.
FAO's energy activities emphasize the need to develop and promote technologies and strategies for the use of renewable energy sources adapted to the socio-economic needs of rural populations.
FAO's technical assistance activities recognize that agriculture, forestry and fisheries have a double role and potential, as both consumers and producers of energy in the form of renewable bioenergy. These activities take an integrated approach to the assessment, planning and implementation of energy and sustainable rural development. All steps in the food chain require energy and a systematic approach is taken to its "energization". Renewable energy applications, such as photovoltaic systems, are promoted, especially in relation to enhanced agricultural productivity and other income-generating activities. Networking is also promoted and realized through initiatives such as the Latin American and Caribbean Working Group on Rural Energization for Sustainable Development, the Regional Wood Energy Development Programme in Asia and the Sustainable Rural Environment and Energy Network for the European Region. The nexus between agriculture and energy will be assessed in the context of the preparations for CSD 9.
Energy systems and approachesSpecial emphasis is placed on bioenergy (See "FAO and bioenergy"), which plays a key role in the present energy scenario in rural areas and has a high potential as a modern energy carrier. Wood energy data and projections are a major component of FAO's energy activities. FAO has gathered information on the dynamics of woodfuel flows and has been providing multidisciplinary approaches and technical expertise in the field of bioenergy. A database at country level on production and consumption of woodfuels has been regularly maintained since 1961, representing one of the most complete time-series available. FAO has gathered experience in the development of methodologies and definitions, management and analysis of databases, policy advice and development of national and regional specialized bioenergy studies. Attention is given to the energy function of the sugar industry, as one of the diversification strategies of that sector, and to the production of low-cost transport fuels to contribute to urban food security. FAO also promotes awareness and better use of work animal technology. The Organization has also implemented field projects aimed at:
FAO has conducted activities on energy planning and training at the regional and national levels, such as the Regional Wood Energy Development Programme in Asia, the assessment of the future energy requirements of agriculture in African countries and the organization of national consultative meetings on energy for rural development.
A significant number of projects have been implemented in areas such as wood energy, bioenergy, biogas, solar drying, illumination and water lifting. Agricultural engineering solutions to promote fuel-saving cropping systems (conservation tillage, zero tillage), human and work animal energy, efficient energy and water use in irrigation, and energy-efficient fishing vessels are other focus areas. In the crop-specific area, technology transfer of new drought- and saline-tolerant sweet sorghums for alcohol production is being pursued. The particular characteristics of links between energy and environment in rural areas are being assessed. Animal and agro- and agro-industrial residues, their valorization and the protection of local environmental quality are also topics given particular attention and network support.
Outstanding challenges are the development and implementation of rural energy policies and programmes with concerted action of all interested parties: farmers, local and national governments, the private, financial and academic sectors and international institutions. The physical and economic accessibility to sustainable energy forms by the poorest rural and peri-urban populations for income-generating and subsistence activities remains an urgent and critical matter.
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