Global Bioenergy Partnership chief says EU, US protectionism holding back global biofuel development

In Italy, the chairman of the Global Bioenergy Partnership said that the food vs. fuel issue will only be resolved if the United States and Europe drop their protectionist agricultural policies and help developing nations produce biofuels. Corrado Clini, who was speaking at the World Energy Congress, said that there should be international rules on production standards to prevent environmental damage.

The Secretariat of the Global Bioenergy Partnership (GBEP), was launched at the 14th Session of the UN Commission for Sustainable Development in May 2006 in New York to promote the use of bioenergy. Located at FAO headquarters in Rome, the Secretariat’s mandate is to facilitate a global political forum to promote bioenergy and to encourage the production, marketing and use of “green” fuels, with particular focus on developing countries. Italy and Mexico were respectively appointed as Chair and Vice-Chair of GBEP’s Steering Committee through 2008.

The UN Dispatch recently reported comments by the organization that trade in biofuels and biofuel feedstocks is too low. The report says that European and US subsidies for domestic production and tariffs for imported feedstocks and biofuels are reducing biofuel production in tropical and subtropical climates, where biomass productivity is significantly higher.

Free Subscription to the Daily Biofuels Digest e-newsletter

Related Stories

Global Bioenergy Partnership says global biofuels trade is low; says US, European subsidies and incentives distort market

The UN Dispatch is reporting comments by the head of the Global Bioenergy Partnership that trade in biofuels and biofuel feedstocks is too low. The report says that European and US subsidies for domes...

UN FAO calls for moratorium on subsidies, protectionism, not biofuels

The UN FAO released a report at the Food Summit calling for a global biofuels subsidy program and protectionist policies moratorium, saying that “the energy security, environmental and economic bene...

Ethiopia signs with Global Energy to establish castor-oil production

In Ethiopia, Global Energy signed a 50-year lease for 49,000 acres of land in Gamo Gofa zone and 37 acres of land in the Gamu Gofa zone for a castor oil crushing plant. Global Energy will request for ...

South Korea establishes jatropha R&D partnership with Pakistan

In South Korea, Zarai Taraqiati Bank announced that it is coordinating a jatropha R&D partnership between South Korea and Pakistan. Jatropha trees have been planted in the Balochistan, Sindh and P...

Today in Biofuels Opinion: “I think you are likely to see some consolidation in the industry next year. It’s a difficult time.”

Brazilian presidential chief of staff Dilma Rousseff: "The [global economic] crisis may allow anti-cyclical policies that favor a a green agenda with biofuel as a priority." Renewable Fuels Associa...

Bioenergy Australia to host biomass conference with algae focus in December

In Australia, Bioenergy Australia, a not-for-profit government-industry forum fostering the development of biomass for transportation fuels and other applications such as heat and power is holding its...