Key Issues
On one hand, biofuels provide opportunities to pursue economic and development goals. On the other, the rapid expansion of energy crops can lead to harmful (social and environmental) consequences within the producing countries.
Questions have been raised about the extent to which small farmers and other producers could benefit from the emerging opportunities that production and commercialization of energy crops could offer. In addition, it is important to analyse how such supply chains can operate in a sustainable manner, and how the position of small producers within these chains can be strengthened.
The debate will focus on both domestic and export markets, both potentially offering opportunities for smallholders.
- What opportunities can be explored?
- Which examples can be multiplied, copied and scaled up?
- What are risks and constraints and how can these be prevented or tackled?
Purpose of the event
There is considerable and growing interest in biofuels (or agrofuels), in particular from the perspective of renewable energy, carbon emissions and climate change.
This debate will take a different starting point. The focus of the debate will be on small producers, including farmers, in developing countries, in the context of agriculture, rural entrepreneurship and value chain development.
Expected outcome
The initiative is organised to provide space for meaningful dialogue between governments, UNCTAD, civil society organizations and other stakeholders.
Contact:
Cordaid
Mr Bob van Dillen
PO Box 16440
2500 BK The Hague
The Netherlands
Fax: +31 70 3136 451
Phone : +31 70 3136 486
E-mail: bvd
cordaid.nl
Quick links: | UNCTAD Biofuels Initiative | The Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs | Cordaid (The Netherlands) |