| Bioenergy experiences and opportunities in Eastern Europe and Central Asia: GBEP’s 4th Bioenergy Week hosted in Hungary
GBEP’s annual Bioenergy Week this year moved to Eastern Europe and Central Asia, to focus on efforts to expand biomass energy production from energy crop and agrifood wastes in this area of the world, as well as on related technology developments, market advancements and the constraints facing bioenergy industries in these countries. Hosted by the Government of Hungary, the event was organized in collaboration with FAO and with the support of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and GIZ.
“Bioenergy, if developed appropriately, has the potential to contribute to rural development through building resilience and income-generating opportunities,” said in its opening remarks Vladimir Rakhmanin, FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for Europe and Central Asia, pointing to the close linkages between agriculture and food security on the one hand, and the challenges of climate change and energy on the other.
The event occurred on 21-24 June 2016, gathering around 80 participants among scientists, government officials and representatives of the private sector. It provided a number of interesting presentations, from regulatory frameworks in the region to bioenergy value chain development opportunities, from solid biomass and agricultural residues to liquid biofuels and biogas’ experience and opportunities in the region. Two roundtables with the private sector were also organized, to discuss its experiences about both technology development and project financing opportunities: representatives from different companies – from the region and beyond – and international organizations and initiatives took the chance to exchange the successes and constraints experienced, and to analyse the potential development of bioenergy opportunities in Eastern Europe and Central Asia.
The workshop also featured an important side event centered on the EBRD’s Finance and Technology Transfer Centre for Climate Change Programme (FINTECC). FAO and the EBRD have developed a step-by-step methodology that can help countries assess market penetration for an array of climate technologies and boost the transfer of practices, ranging from solar water pumping systems to agricultural conservation practices. The FAO tool “Monitoring the adoption of key sustainable climate technologies in agrifood chains” was recently field-tested in Morocco: twelve highly diversified sustainable technologies applicable to the agrifood sector were identified and evaluated in terms of their potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions as well as their overall economic performance. Lack of knowledge and awareness, inadequate regulatory frameworks to scale up technology transfer and limited financial support, as well as limited competition of supply chain actors, are key constraints to the expansion of climate technologies.
“There are regional variations in the ability to meet these challenges, especially by countries that are facing food insecurity, that override concerns about greenhouse gases and other environmental issues,” said FAO Economist Nuno Santos. “Our objective is to ensure that increased crop productivity, efficient water use, improved livelihoods for the rural poor and sustainable development go hand-in-hand with greenhouse gas reductions and the decoupling of the agrifood industry from its dependence on fossil fuels.”
The event was a success from all point of views and also received a very good echo from the press, both at local and regional level. Stay tuned for the 2017 edition!
Read all about the event on the GBEP website
|
RSS
