Bioeconomy | Ecologic Institute: Science and Policy for a Sustainable World

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Presentation

Biofuels: Between Energy Security and Climate Change - Latin America and the international discussion

TimeLoc

28 August 2008

Rio de Janeiro

Brazil

Timo Kaphengst

This workshop from 28-29 August 2008 in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) aimed towards a common understanding between representatives of Latin America, Asia, Europe and the US on future biofuel development. Timo Kaphengst outlined in his presentation the renewable energy policy of the European Union, more specifically the main controversies within decision-making bodies of the EU on biofuel targets and sustainability standards.

Project

Bioeconomy

Mobility

Water

Assessment of inter-linkages between biofuel development and water availability

April 2008 to April 2009

The development of the biofuels sector in Europe has raised concerns regarding the sustainability of production and its impacts on the environment.This project explores and analyses the different water needs and distribution of bioenergy crops grown or potentially grown in the next decades in the EU. The overall objective is to support the Commission regarding future work on water scarcity and on linking water and agricultural policies.

There is growing concern throughout the EU regarding drought events leading to water scarcity problems, and the number of Member States thatRead more

Presentation

Speech

Bioeconomy

Transatlantic Program

If biofuels are the answer – what is the question? A review on the benefits and drawbacks of biofuels from an environmental, development, and climate perspective

TimeLoc

5 March 2008

Denver

United States

Stephanie Wunder

Stephanie Schlegel gave a presentation discussing the current bioenergy policy in the U.S. and the European Union. The presentation focused on the analysis of current support schemes for biofuels and compared the expectations and objectives to the actual impacts and results of bioenergy policy approaches from an environmental, climate and development perspective.

Around the world, biofuels are promoted as the solution to various problems such as security of energy supply and the challenge of climate change. However, numerous recent studies have shown that although bioenergy hasRead more

Presentation

Speech

Bioeconomy

Global Environment

From Biofuel Standards to an International Standard-setting Scheme for the Sustainable Use of Natural Resources

TimeLoc

23 February 2008

Berlin

Germany

Timo Kaphengst

As part of a series of European conferences on human dimensions research, the Berlin conference this year focused on governance of social-ecological change. Timo Kaphengst showed in his presentation, how the current debate on sustainable standards for biofuels could be used to create an international standard-setting scheme for the sustainable use of all natural resources.

Publication

A Review of the Possible Impact of Biomass Production from Agriculture on Water

Background paper for the conference "WFD meets CAP - Looking for a consistent approach"

Dworak, Thomas; Ulrike Eppler; Jan-Erik Petersen et. al. 2008: A Review of the Possible Impact of Biomass Production from Agriculture on Water. Background paper for the conference "WFD meets CAP - Looking for a consistent approach". Background paper for the European conference "Water Framework Directive and Agriculture" , 21-22 September 2007, Paris.Read more

Publication

Article

Bioeconomy

European Union Policy on Bioenergy and the Role of Sustainability Criteria and Certification Systems

The EU has set ambitious targets to raise the share of renewable energies, particularly biofuels. This article, written by Stephanie Schlegel and Timo Kaphengst, discusses the role that bioenergy plays in the European policy context and the approach the EU is currently following to ensure the sustainability of biofuels. It addresses the limits of the chosen approach, concluding that certification schemes can not serve as the only safeguard for sustainable bioenergy but need to be complemented by other tools and policies.Read more

Project

Bioeconomy

Regional and Environmental Effects of Biogas Use

October 2007 to August 2008

Biogas plants have different effects on a region depending on their size, the feed-in product, the plant operator and the biomass which is used. The advantages and disadvantages for the regional economy and the environment of different plant types are assessed in this project. The study focuses on a concrete region in Northeastern Germany.

Background:

Renewable energies play an important role in meeting the ambitious climate policy targets agreed upon by the German government in August 2007. Within the range of available renewable energy sources, bioenergy isRead more

Presentation

Speech

Bioeconomy

Global Environment

Political, Economic, Environmental and Social Aspects of Global Biomass Production and Bioenergy

TimeLoc

18 October 2007

St. Gallen

Switzerland

Timo Kaphengst

The Oikos-conference “Limits to growth – growing beyond limits“ took place from 18.-19. Oktober in St.Gallen (Switzerland). Different actors from research, economy and politics discussed the relationship between sustainable development and economic growth. During a workshop on limits to growth for renewable energies, Timo Kaphengst gave a presentation on the economic and political framework of bioenergy production as well as on the social and environmental impacts of the current bioenergy boom. His presentation is available for download.

Event

Bioenergy and Climate Friendly Farming Practices: Approaches in Germany and the United States

TimeLoc

17 August 2007

Bioenergy and climate friendly farming practices were discussed at the first in a series of Transatlantic Ecologic Riverside Chats that took place in Berlin on 17 August 2007. The event was held on the occasion of the visit of 30 farmers as well as policy makers, scientists, and journalists with an agricultural background from within Germany and the United States...Read more

Event

Transatlantic Program

Transatlantic Farmer-to-Farmer Exchange on Bioenergy and Climate Friendly Farming Practices

TimeLoc

8 August 2007 to 19 August 2007

Brandenburg, Kansas and Missouri

On 9-19 August 2007, a transatlantic Farmer-to-Farmer exchange program brought together 30 farmers, policy makers, scientists, and journalists from the United States and Europe with an agricultural background. The program included field visits to farms and biomass processing facilities in Germany and the U.S. as well as visits to research institutes to see experimental bioenergy cropping, climate friendly agricultural practices and to discuss the link between climate and agricultural policy.Read more