The European Union (EU) has set ambitious policy targets for the sustainable utilization of energy in Europe. The major objectives of EU energy policies are to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs); decrease energy dependency on imported fossil fuels; diversify the sources of energy supply; generate employment in agricultural and rural areas; and promote technological innovation and development in Europe. As bioenergy and biofuels have been recognized carbon-neutral and cost effective climate change mitigation option, the EU has been promoting them as alternative renewal energies to fossil fuels to reduce negative impacts on climate and increase sustainable energy security in the EU. Currently, biomass covers about two third of total consumption of renewal energy and contributing to the diversification of the EU fuel mix, consequently increasing domestic energy supplies and reducing GHGs. Although bioenergy cannot replace all fossil fuels, it can contribute significantly to achieve the EU policy targets i.e. at least a 20 percent reduction in GHGs, a 20 percent increase in renewable energy and a 20 percent increase in energy efficiency by 2020.
To know more about EU policies and related documents on bioenergy and biofuels, please click the following links
1. Bioenergy
2. Biofuels
Bioenergy and forest education at the XIII World Forestry Congress
Will the development of bioenergy be good or bad for the forest sector? This question was made to the audience attending the Forest and Energy Forum during the XIII World Forestry Congress in Buenos Aires, Argentina, held from 19th to 23rd October 2009. The forum (click here for its detailed programme) gathered numerous world experts in the field and was, together with the thematic session 2.5 on Forests and Energy (click here for its detailed programme), the main venue for discussions on bioenergy.
Interestingly, the numbers of hands raised in response to the question was quite even between yes and no, with a slight majority –as appreciated by the chairman of the session- for the “no”, i.e. for those thinking that bioenergy development will be bad for forestry. Why so many “no” answers? Judging from the discussions that took place, there seemed to be the wide spread perception that plantations for energy will need a huge area and therefore will contribute to deforestation of natural forests.
The subject forestry education was also debated throughout the Congress, with a thematic session (6.4) on the last day (click here for a detailed programme). With the moderation of August Temu, there were presentations by Hosny El-Lakany, Florent Kaiser, Michael Rivoire, Nicolas Dolidon, Marta Bonilla, as well as a presentation by our group entitled “Exploring the motivation of international forestry degree students”. Also a follow-up meeting for further discussing forestry education was held, chaired by the International Partnership for Forestry Education (IPFE).
Interestingly, the numbers of hands raised in response to the question was quite even between yes and no, with a slight majority –as appreciated by the chairman of the session- for the “no”, i.e. for those thinking that bioenergy development will be bad for forestry. Why so many “no” answers? Judging from the discussions that took place, there seemed to be the wide spread perception that plantations for energy will need a huge area and therefore will contribute to deforestation of natural forests.
The subject forestry education was also debated throughout the Congress, with a thematic session (6.4) on the last day (click here for a detailed programme). With the moderation of August Temu, there were presentations by Hosny El-Lakany, Florent Kaiser, Michael Rivoire, Nicolas Dolidon, Marta Bonilla, as well as a presentation by our group entitled “Exploring the motivation of international forestry degree students”. Also a follow-up meeting for further discussing forestry education was held, chaired by the International Partnership for Forestry Education (IPFE).
BioenergyGlossary, UBET and BioenergyWiki: web tools to learn more about bioenergy
The Faculty of Forestry, Joensuu and the Faculty of International Communication, Savonlinna of the University of Joensuu has developed BIOENERGY GLOSSARY as a joint project. Due to the young field of science, the information and definitions of BIOENERGY terms are not easily available in different languages. Therefore, through iterative consultation with students, faculties and bioenrgy experts, the glossary has been prepared in Finnish, German and Russian language. The glossary consists of four sections (biogas, greenhouse effect, Short rotation farming and wood-based fuels) and each section contains 50-100 terms. You will also find the instructions for the users of the bioenergy glossary.
Similarly, FAO has published UNIFIED BIOENERGY TERMINOLOGY (UBET) in 2004. This publication examines and reviews the terminology and definitions for woodfuels and other biofuels used in FAO, and in other major databases on biomass-based energy sources. It also proposes ways to improve the methodology for the definition, classification, compilation and presentation of biofuel data and information using the UBET.
BioenergyWiki is another freely available source of information.
Click the link and increase your knowledge on bioenergy terminologies.
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