Background

In the Gleneagles Plan of Action (July 2005), in response to an Italian initiative, the G8 Leaders agreed to "….promote the continued development and commercialisation of renewable energy by: […] d) launching a Global Bioenergy Partnership to support wider, cost effective, biomass and biofuels deployment, particularly in developing countries where biomass use is prevalent". Following a consultation process among the G8 +5 countries (Brazil, China, India, Mexico and South Africa), international agencies and private sector associations, a White Paper was prepared to guide Partnership activities.  The Global Bioenergy Partnership (GBEP) was launched during the Ministerial Segment of 14^th session of the Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD14) in New York on 11 May 2006.

Purpose and Objectives

The purpose of the Global Bioenergy Partnership is to provide a mechanism for Partners to organize, coordinate and implement targeted international research, development, demonstration and commercial activities related to production, delivery, conversion and use of biomass for energy, with a particular focus on developing countries. GBEP also provides a forum for implementing effective policy frameworks, identifying ways and means to support investments, and removing barriers to collaborative project development and implementation.

The Partnership's main objectives are to:

1.     Create a global high-level policy dialogue on bioenergy, support national and regional bioenergy policy-making and market development, and facilitate international cooperation.

2.     Favour more efficient and sustainable uses of biomass and develop project activities in the bioenergy field.

3.     Foster the exchange of information, knowledge skills and technologies by identifying and promote potential areas of bilateral and multilateral collaboration.

4.     Facilitate bioenergy integration into energy markets by tackling specific barriers in the supply chain.

5.     Act as a cross-cutting initiative, working in synergy with other relevant activities, avoiding duplications.

Partners and Membership

The Partnership brings together public decision-makers, representatives of the private sector and civil society as well as international agencies with expertise in bioenergy.

Current Partners are: Canada, China, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, United Kingdom, United States of America, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), International Energy Agency (IEA), United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), United Nations Foundation, World Council for Renewable Energy (WCRE) and European Biomass Industry Association (EUBIA).

Italy and Mexico were elected Chair and Co-Chair respectively for the first biennium.

Decisions on accepting new partners are taken by the Steering Committee. GBEP welcomes new partners who wish to contribute to the joint programme of work.

Programme of Work

The Partnership agreed to base its activities on three main pillars: Energy Security -  Food Security  -  Environmental Sustainability.

The 2^nd Steering Committee meeting in October 2006 agreed on key priorities for the immediate programme of work:

Ø       Raising awareness and facilitating information exchange on bioenergy.

Ø       Thematic focus on Sustainability and Trade.

Ø       Methodologies for measuring GHG emission reductions from the use of bioenergy.

GBEP Added Value

GBEP aims to make a unique contribution to the sustainable development of bioenergy through its focus and membership:

Ø       A specific focus on bioenergy as a key renewable energy source.

Ø       Better coordination on bioenergy both across sectors and between public, private and civil society parties.

Ø       Facilitating the engagement of the private sector.

Ø       Focusing on developing countries, where biomass use is prevalent, and facilitate an exchange of experiences and technologies not only North-South, but also South-South and South-North.

Ø       Raising visibility of bioenergy opportunities and issues at the international level and including bioenergy in relevant development initiatives.

Ø       Reflecting and supporting the strong political commitment to promote bioenergy.

GBEP will build upon the successful experience of partnerships in related renewable energy sub-sectors.

GBEP Secretariat

The GBEP Secretariat, hosted at FAO Headquarters in Rome with the support of Italy, is the principal coordinator of the Partnership communications and activities.

GBEP Secretariat contact details are:

GBEP Secretariat
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
Environment and Natural Resources Service
Viale delle Terme di Caracalla
00153 Rome, ITALY

email: GBEP-Secretariat@fao.org

Fax: +39 06 57053369

Useful links and additional information

Terms of Reference of the Partnership

Roundtable - Montreal December 2006, Presentations and White Paper

Preparatory meeting  - Rome, September 2005, Presentations and White Paper

International workshop on bioenergy - Rome, June 2005

Global Bioenergy Partenership Secretariat