Andrea Athanas, IUCN, introduced the topic, saying that energy systems and ecosystems are inextricably linked and that an energy system’s impacts on ecosystems and biodiversity need to be considered. She said that IUCN’s interest in biofuels relates to energy independence and security issues.

Jeff Tschirley, FAO, discussed bioenergy constraints and challenges for addressing food security and sustainability. He noted that lack of access to energy is a major constraint for areas suffering from chronic and acute food shortages and that small-scale biofuel production could provide food security, diversification of feedstock crops, infrastructure development and employment.

Barbara Bramble, National Wildlife Federation, emphasized that biofuel production must occur under social and environmental safeguards in order to optimize its benefits, such as low carbon emissions, and mitigate its potential downsides, such as biodiversity loss. She emphasized that biofuels, especially “second generation” biofuels, have great potential to provide sustainable energy and protect biodiversity if they are well managed.

Daniel Nyamai, World Agroforestry Centre, discussed the use of the “miracle tree,” jatropha, a perennial biofuel crop that is capable of growing in arid conditions and could be a means for landscape restoration, sustainable energy provision and economic empowerment. Nyamai called for a structured development of the crop, adding the need for a national, regional and international biofuel strategy.

Annie Dufey, International Institute for Environment and Development, emphasized the importance of biofuel trade, noting that it can deliver opportunities for developing countries, and can ensure the necessary economies of scale in small and medium biofuel-producing countries. She said that tariffs are one of the main barriers to international biofuel trade, and highlighted the need to implement trade policies that include small-scale producers.

Charlotte Opal, Roundtable on Sustainable Biofuels, explained that the Roundtable is a multi-stakeholder initiative to develop principles and criteria for sustainable biofuel production that are simple and accessible, generic to all crops, adaptable to new information, and compliant with WTO rules. She hoped that policy makers, banks, companies, NGOs and other actors would utilize the standards.

Participants discussed, inter alia: the need for workers to be considered in the stakeholder mix of biofuel production; the importance of the ethical dimension of biofuel production; whether or not successful biofuel production depends on international trade; and the involvement of women in biofuel issues.

Anna Ballance, Department for International Development, UK, opened the event, saying that investment in energy is needed to meet the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

Minoru Takada, UNDP, discussed the global challenge of financing access to energy services for the poor, estimating that providing energy services to support the MDGs would cost approximately US $200 billion dollars over 10 years. After highlighting a successful and affordable project to distribute improved cooking stoves in Nepal, Takada said that ODA funds related to energy need to link directly to providing energy services to the poor, instead of being primarily channeled towards larger infrastructure and renewable energy projects.

Douglas Barnes, The World Bank, said that the rural electrification rate is about 10% in Africa, compared to 40-60% in most of the rest of the world, and advocated the comprehensive “Action Plan for Energy Access in Africa,” as a way to address the issue. Barnes said international institution and donor support and country ownership are needed for effective implementation to occur, adding that the programme is just starting and is not yet funded.

Teodoro Sanchez, Practical Action, discussed mobilizing local capital to implement decentralized renewable energy solutions for the poor. He highlighted a case study on a revolving fund for the installation of small hydro schemes in Peru, emphasizing that local businessmen, farmers, peasants, organized groups and local authorities can help fill the financial gap in energy access for the poor.

Nnimmo Bassey, Friends of the Earth Nigeria, stressed that poor people don’t lack energy because there is no power, but because political indifference and “transnational resource grabbers” have made them powerless. He said the solution lies in advocating for energy sovereignty and the development of small community-based projects that people can directly own, run and maintain.