Biofuels have had a long
history of use in the transport
sector. This began in the
1970s and early 1980s when
a substantial increase in
biofuels production and
use in many countries resulted
from high oil prices. But
biofuels became less competitive
vis-à-vis fossil
fuels after the collapse
of oil prices in the mid-1980s,
and global interest in biofuels
for transport waned considerably
in the 1990s and the first
years of the 21st century.
The recent sustained increase
in international oil prices
has once again highlighted
the potential for biofuels
to contribute to transport
fuel demand, particularly
in countries that import
the bulk of fossil fuel
supplies. Global concerns
about the effects of fossil
fuel use on the environment,
as well as recognition of
the benefits of energy supply
diversification also support
increasing biofuels production
and use.
The seminar explored the
near-term and longer-term
global prospects for biofuels
for transport, focusing
mainly on the development
of new markets. The Brazilian
model for development of
a national biofuels market
was highlighted, as well
as the perspective from
other countries. Theseminar
also explored the elements
of a sound national strategy,
and addressed not just the
biofuelsfor transport angle—as
critically important as
that is—but also the
socio-economic/sustainabledevelopment
component which involves,
among other matters, rural
community development, environmental
impacts, income generation,
and the hard/foreign currency
potential. Finally, the
seminar sought to clarify
the opportunities for international
cooperation to expand biofuels
production and use on a
cost-effective, environmentally
sustainable basis.
8.30 –
9.00 Registration
9.00 – 9.15 Welcome
Remarks: Claude Mandil,
Executive Director, IEA
9.15 – 9.40 Keynote
Address: Honorary Professor
Ignacy Sachs, School of
Superior Studies in Social
Sciences, Paris
Session
1
Situation Analysis
The session provided
context for the seminar.
It highlighted IEA projections
for energy demand, CO2 emissions,
and costs to 2030, focussing
on scenarios for biofuels
production and use. The
session also laid out
a framework for expanding
biofuels production based
on current and potential
policies and measures. The
discussion focussed on
feedstock potential to displace
motor gasoline and diesel
demand. Particular emphasis
was placed on oil-importing
countries which are adversely
affected by high oil prices
and oil price volatility.
Moderator:
Rick Sellers, Head, Renewable
Energy Unit, IEA
The session presented
the perspective of Brazil
on its development of
ethanol
production and use since
the first oil crisis,
and highlighted lessons
learned.
Speakers addressed policies,
oil price effects, agricultural
markets and the
interaction of supply
and demand in the ethanol,
sugar and transport fuels
markets. The session also
included perspectives
from the auto and transport
fuels industries in Brazil.
Moderator:
Ambassador Sergio Amaral,
Brazilian Ambassador to
France
This session looked
at the separate elements
of a national biofuels
strategy:
designing a national cost-benefit
analysis, creating a proper
regulatory and policy
framework, and establishing
national environmental
standards. Presenters
were asked to address
the socio-economic/sustainable
development component
including rural community
development, environmental
impacts, income generation,
and the hard/foreign currency
potential.
Moderator:
Fabrizio Donini-Ferretti,
Head of Energy, Dexia
Credit Local
The session provided
an opportunity for a structured
roundtable on biofuels
perspectives. Led by two
dynamic moderators, the
session elicited views
on the barriers and opportunities
for developing biofuels
sectors, and what assistance
might prove helpful to achieving
each country’s aspirations.
The perceived benefits of
establishing a national
programme for biofuels use
for electricity generation
and household energy supply
to complement transport
use were also emphasised.
Moderators:
Daniel Ugarte, Associate
Director of the Agricultural
Policy Analysis
Centre, University of Tennessee
Lucas Assuncao, Coordinator
Climate Change & BIOTrade
Programmes, UNCTAD
AFRICA Ghana:
• Minister of
Mines & Energy,
Hon. Mike Oquaye
Kenya: •
Deputy Minister for
Environment and Natural
Resources, Hon. Kamama
Asman Abongotum
• Ambassador
to France, Her Excellency
Raychelle Awuor Omamo
Zambia:
• Deputy Minister
of Energy and Water
Development, Hon.
Sebio Mukuka
ASIA Philippines:
• Ambassador
to France, His
Excellency Hector
Villarroel
Thailand:
• Minister of
Energy, Honorable
Viset Choopiban
Working
dinner at the Hotel Hilton
Paris with keynote speaker
Ms.
Suani Teixeira Coelho,
Deputy Secretary of Environment,
State of São Paulo
and Head of CENBIO, the
Brazilian Reference Center
on Biomass, University
of São Paulo.
Session
5
Infrastructure & Investment
This session looked
at issues related to transforming
the industrial infrastructure,
including modifying the
auto fleet and the fuel
distribution system. It addressed implications
for fuel distribution
networks (addressing fuel
production, changes required
for distribution systems,
fuel standards, and customer
attitudes.) The session
also focussed on the
scale and requirements
of attracting the necessary
investment.
Moderator:
Duncan Eggar, Senior Business
Advisor - Sustainable
Mobility, British Petroleum
• “Experience
with flex-fuel vehicles”
Henry Joseph,
Jr., Manager of Engine
Tests and Emission Labs,
Volkswagen
Brazil and Director of
the Brazilian Automobile
Manufacturers Association
The closing session was led by an expert panel.
The discussion focussed
on
opportunities and options
for international cooperation,
resulting in the development
of a solid foundation for
increased production and
use of biofuels. Following
the discussion, the moderator
entertained suggestions
from the participants about
practicable next steps.
Moderator:
Reid Detchon, Executive
Director of the Energy Future
Coalition,
UN Foundation
Panel:
• Sergio Amaral, Brazilian
Ambassador to France
• Ashok Khosla, President,
Development Alternatives,
India
• Dr. Mersie Ejigu,
President and CEO, Partnership
for African Environmental
Sustainability
• Neil Hirst, Director,
Energy Technology Office,
IEA
Closing Remarks Ambassador
William C. Ramsay,
Deputy Executive Director,
IEA
“Experience
with flex-fuel vehicles”
Henry Joseph, Jr. Manager of Engine
Tests and Emission Labs,
Volkswagen
Brazil and Director
of the Brazilian Automobile
Manufacturers Association
