| Fostering sustainable bioenergy development: Brazil and FAO tools
The third day of the GBEP meetings in Rome (15 November 2012) saw a preparatory seminar for the “study tour/bioenergy week” to be held in Brasilia in March 2013. The seminar intended to initiate an exchange of information on sustainable bioenergy experiences, and to this end experts from Brazil (leading Partner of the study tour) and FAO (hosting organization of the workshop) were invited to share their experiences.
Presentations were given to show different tools, instruments and policies already developed by Brazil and FAO to foster the deployment of sustainable bioenergy development taking into account environmental, social and economic issues.
From FAO side, in particular, the workshop presented the recently agreed Voluntary Guidelines on Land Tenure. Land, fisheries, forests and other natural resources provide a platform for livelihoods and a basis for social, cultural and religious practices. Pressure on these resources is increasing as areas are sought for cultivation, are occupied by urban expansion and are abandoned because of degradation, climate change and conflicts. In response, FAO and its partners initiated the preparation of internationally accepted guidelines to enhance governance of tenure of land, fisheries and forests (Voluntary Guidelines on the Responsible Governance of Tenure of Land, Fisheries and Forests in the Context of National Food Security). The guidelines were developed through a global multi-stakeholder consultation process and represent a global consensus on internationally accepted principles and standards for responsible practices. They will provide a framework that States can use when developing their own policies, legislation and programmes. The guidelines promote the enjoyment of existing tenure rights and provide access to juridical support when dealing with infringements. They stress the principles of human dignity, non-discrimination, gender equality, consultation and participation, continuous policy and regulation improvement.
Moreover, FAO presented the findings of two studies carried out in Tanzania: one on the evaluation and planning of bioenergy in using the Water Evaluation and Planning (WEAP) tool; and a second one on the economic feasibility assessment of sunflower based biofuels in Tanzania.
Brazil provided a very interesting overview on the changes in the Brazilian energy matrix over the last 40 years, together with an analysis of the economics of its bioenergy and agriculture sector. Brazilian policies were also presented and in particular a presentation was given on the legal framework of Brazilian Environmental Legislation and potential improvements concerning bioenergy and agriculture in Brazil. In the Latin American country, a set of land tenure laws regulates land use change, especially in the Amazon area, establishing legal reserves and protection of water resources. The close linkage between these policies and the GBEP indicators on sustainability was highlighted during the seminar.
Brazil will now host the first “Study Tour/Bioenergy week” in Brasilia from 11 to 15 March 2013: it will consists of short training courses, analyzing technical and public policy aspects of sustainable bioenergy development, in line with GBEP 24 sustainability indicators. Bioenergy technology and knowhow will be shared through fieldtrips to biodiesel and bioethanol plants.
More information about the workshop can be found on the Events page of the GBEP website
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