Opportunities and Barriers for Sustainable International Bioenergy Trade

摘要

Trade of biomass and bioenergy (biotrade) can provide a stable and reliable situation for sustainable production of biomass fuels, become a source of additional income and increased employment (e.g., for rural communities), and may contribute to the sustainable management of natural resources. For importers, biotrade may assist to fulfil greenhouse gas emission reduction targets in a cost-effective manner, diversify their fuel mix, and lead to more sustainable energy production. Stimulated by the renewable energy policies in several countries, rising oil prices, and a wish for diversification of supply, in most Task 40 Member Countries growth rates of 10-20% or more per year have been observed in international trade of biomass and bioenergy. However, a multitude of different barriers currently exist, hampering the development of international bioenergy trade. These include economic, technical, logistical, ecological, social, cognitive, legal, and trade barriers, lack of clear international accounting rules and statistics, and issues regarding land availability, deforestation, energy balances, potential conflicts with food production, and local use versus international trade.