Policy Promises and ILUC Implications Facing the Global Biofuels Industry

PRLog (Press Release) - Jan. 28, 2013 - In a week that has been rife with talk of biofuels politics, policies and sustainability, we take a look at what is happening across the globe in the run up to the Sustainability, Policy and ILUC Conference at World Biofuels Markets Congress (12-14 March 2013, Rotterdam, www.worldbiofuelsmarkets.com).

In his inaugural address this week, President Obama spoke of America’s moral obligation to tackle climate change and the importance of their energy security and independence: “We will respond to the threat of climate change, knowing that the failure to do so would betray our children and future generations.”  His words provided some people with hope and the rest with growing concerns. His speech, and in particular the part on tackling climate change, was aimed not only at a domestic delegation of pro-biofuels supporters and environmentalist lobbyists but to an international platform. Obama made his intentions on addressing this issue clear to every biofuels scientist, environmentalist and industry professional across the globe with one clear statement: “America cannot resist this transition; we must lead it. We cannot cede to other nations the technology that will power new jobs and new industries – we must claim its promise.” – America means business!

On the other side of the Atlantic, lobbyists in Europe have been calling on the European Union to modify regulations so that GHG emission reduction targets can be met through the use of less ‘damaging’ biofuels in transport. In a recent report[1] (http://#_ftn1) by CE Delft commissioned by environmental groups, they put forth the idea that renewable energy is crucial, but only part of the solution. When evaluating long-term European climate goals for transport, it has become clear to those who have compiled the study that the GHG emission targets cannot be met with the policies currently in place and more needs to be done.

One of the four environmental groups that commissioned this report is the European Environmental Bureau (EEB). They have also recently released, alongside other environmental groups, a position paper[2] (http://#_ftn2) looking at ways to address Indirect Land-Use Change (ILUC) with suggestions as to how best to improve the European Commission’s (EC) proposal on the issue. This has been a hot topic of discussion within the industry since the EC released their proposal in the latter part of 2012 and as 2013 gets underway; ILUC is still hot on everyone’s lips. Pieter de Pous, the Policy Director at the EEB will be amongst the panellist discussing and debating this topical issue during two 90 minute sessions at the World Biofuels Markets Congress looking at ways to measure ILUC and how best to apply ILUC into policy.

EEB will be joined on the ILUC panels by ePure, WWF, ICCT, Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development, IFPRI, Purdue University, amongst others. Join them and many others at the 8th annual World Biofuels Markets Congress which will feature a two day Sustainability, Policy & ILUC Conference dedicated to analysing, discussing and debating global policy, the everlasting issue of ILUC and components of sustainability. Global thought leaders will debate policy-based evidence vs. evidence based policy, measuring ILUC, the extent to which the EC Proposal addresses the ILUC issue, balancing the components of sustainability standards and how member states of the EU are transposing RED legislation into national and local legislation.

World Biofuels Markets, organised by Green Power Conferences, will be held on March 12-14 in Rotterdam, Netherlands. The dedicated Sustainability, Policy and ILUC Conference will take place on March 13-14.

For more information: www.worldbiofuelsmarkets.com

Register today

Call: +44 (0)20 7099 0600

Email: Samantha.coleman@greenpowerconferences.com

Or book online at www.worldbiofuelsmarkets.com

For more information on this press release please contact Melanie Botting on +44 (0)20 7099 0600 or melanie.botting@greenpowerconferences.com

About World Biofuels Markets

World Biofuels Markets is Green Power Conferences’ flagship event.   For the last decade it has provided a platform to drive the biofuels energy sector forward.

World Biofuels Markets brings together more than 1,500 participants to deliver and listen to a wide-roster of high-level talks, do business, network, discuss the latest in market developments and provides strategic business training to accelerate the uptake of sustainable business practices within the biofuels energy space.

Conference headlines, speaker agendas, speeches and sponsorship information can be found at: www.worldbiofuelsmarkets.com

Connect with us on Twitter @wbmnews and use #WBM13 or LinkedIn by joining our ‘World Biofuels Markets Global Series’ group.  

About Green Power Conferences

Green Power Conferences is the global leader in renewable energy conferences.  It brings together governments, businesses, academics, policy makers, banks, non-governmental organisations, and opinion formers to discuss and exchange intelligence on renewable energy vital in achieving global energy security.

Founded in 2003 to provide high quality business events for the renewable energy industry, the company has developed strong event portfolios covering the solar wind, biomass, biogas, geothermal, ocean energy and climate finance sectors.  In 2007 the Green Power Academy was launched to provide premier training courses to impart knowledge and skills to the global energy industry.

More than 22,000 delegates around the world have gathered at award winning events produced by Green Power Conferences to deliver and listen to a wide-roster of high-level talks, do business, network, discuss the latest in market developments, and provide strategic business training to accelerate the uptake of sustainable business practices and to inspire the next generation of renewable energy innovators and professionals.

Green Power Conferences abides by a strict ‘green policy (http://www.greenpowerconferences.com/home/greenpolicy)’ to pollute less.  It goes beyond compliance measures to reduce its carbon footprint where and when it can and encourages other businesses to do the same.  

For more information about Green Power Conferences please visit:  www.greenpowerconferences.com

[1] (http://#_ftnref1) http://www.greenpeace.org/eu-unit/Global/eu-unit/reports-briefings/2013/CE_Delft_Sustainable_alternatives_land_based_biofuels.pdf

[2] (http://#_ftnref2) http://www.eeb.org/EEB/?LinkServID=786E652D-5056-B741-DB5702236B13B9B1&showMeta=0