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.
Read moreThe 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
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
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.
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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.
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
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.
Read moreBioenergy 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
