The GBEP Working Group on Capacity Building for Sustainable Bioenergy (Working Group), established in May 2011 and co-chaired by The Netherlands and the United States since November 2011, is promoting the dissemination, use, and implementation of the outcomes of the GBEP Task Forces on GHG Methodologies and on Sustainability through activities and projects.

It raises awareness of the potential benefits of sustainable modern bioenergy through multiple means, including workshops, study tours, public forums and other ways to present sustainable practices and assess resources. The activities and projects developed within the Working Group are country driven. Its main focus is to facilitate collaboration among GBEP Partners and Observers for capacity building projects and related activities.

The Working Group is also facilitating cooperation and capacity building through sharing information, stimulating discussion, and identifying opportunities for cooperation on sustainable bioenergy development and deployment, as well as encouraging sharing of lessons learned, identifying and disseminating information about existing tools and resources available from both the public and private sources and facilitating appropriate linkages between them.

An initial work was accomplished on this matter and two GBEP reports were released:

• "Analytical tools to assess and unlock sustainable bioenergy potential" intended to contribute to building country capacity for assessing sustainable bioenergy potential and devising and implementing a strategy for realization of this potential.
• "Financing options for bioenergy projects and programmes" intended to facilitate access to financing for sustainable bioenergy projects and programmes;

Two search tools were developed to facilitate access to information contained in these reports:

• Search tool on the report on analytical tools
• Search tool on the report on financing options

Download here a list of ongoing activities related with financing, capacity-building and technology cooperation for sustainable bioenergy (April 2010).

In November 2011, the Working Group agreed to establish three Activity Groups:

1. West African Regional Forum on Sustainable Modern Bioenergy (proposed by the U.S. in cooperation with other members);

2. Raising awareness, and sharing of data and experience on the implementation of GBEP indicators (proposed by Germany and supported by other members); and

3. Study tour for capacity building and training (proposed by Brazil and supported by other members).

Relevant documents:

Co-Chair Conclusions of the 1^st Working Group meeting
16 November 2011

Scope and programme of work of the Working Group on Capacity Building for Sustainable Bioenergy
19 May 2011

Chair summary of the 11^th Steering Committee meeting
20 May 2011


For other relevant documents click here