GBEP studying new focus on innovation and sustainability

The Global Bioenergy Partnership (GBEP) is exploring the possibility of making innovation and technology the new focus of its work in 2009 because of the growing interest of the prospects for so-called next-generation biofuels.

Following a proposal made to the 6th GBEP Steering Committee, held at FAO headquarters in Rome on 15 December, Partners have been asked to make suggestions about how the Partnership could work in the area of “Innovation and Sustainability”, possibly in the form of a new GBEP task force. The Steering Committee also welcomed the arrival of two new members for the partnership – Spain and Sweden. They bring the number of GBEP Partners to 26.

The new focus on technology and innovation is also reflected in some of the events GBEP is planning for 2009. On 2 March, GBEP will join with Italian company M&G Group in the second edition of their Bio-Ethanol Conference, to be held in Milan. Themes to be discussed will include bioenergy and climate change as well as innovation in renewable energy and in the auto industry.

Biofuels policy and standards will be the focus of a forum to be held in collaboration with GBEP at the start of World Biofuels Markets in Brussels on 16 March. This one-day event will provide a review of current and future biofuels policy, strategy and standards including discussion with ministerial, international government, standardisation and regulatory bodies, along with industry experts.

While the main focus of the year will clearly again be on the G8 Summit, to be held in Italy in July, GBEP is also planning a side event or workshop in occasion of Solarexpo, one of Europe’s leading renewable energy exhibitions, to be held in Verona, Italy, on 7-9 May.

More details about GBEP Steering Committee meetings are available on the “Events” section of the GBEP website.

 

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