INTERNATIONAL DEBATE ON INTERNATIONAL BIOTRADE

The document can be downloaded here: v7.10wbc2biotradeworkshoppaper.pdf [34 KB]

A full report can be downloaded here: 2gave0306draftnovemrapportbiotrade.pdf [704 KB]

A. Faaij , A. Wieczorek, M. Minnesma

ABSTRACT:
This paper summarizes the outcomes of the international workshop held in Amsterdam in September 2002,
as well as information gathering prior to that event (literature, other events) and separate interviews. The overall
impression of the material and thoughts provided through discussion papers, interviews and the workshop covered by this project, is a sense of excitement around the concept of international bio-energy trade. It is recognized that there are opportunities of developing international bio-energy markets for rural development and poverty alleviation, which increase the economic efficiency and the total use of bio-energy use worldwide.
Key issues raised are that there are no clear sustainability criteria available yet for biotrade schemes. These should be developed. There are also potential (or real) opposing interests in the arena around bio-energy trading schemes: the private versus public sectors, environmental focus versus a market focus and a regulatory approach versus the market oriented approach. Partly, the lack of consensus may also be caused by the different backgrounds and availability of information (both scientific and from ongoing activities). Flexibility in development, usage and application of the right incentives and policy schemes may be a key element of an expected ‘chaotic’ transition process towards building international bio-energy markets. Overall, there is a clear need for the type of debate that took place during the workshop. A key recommendation is therefore to structure and institutionalize this debate for a longer period of time, involving all key stakeholders.