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A Review of the current state of Bioenergy development in G8 +5 countries

Year of publication 2008

Pages 302

Author Climate, Energy and Tenure Division

Product type Book (stand-alone)

Edition 1

Synopsis (short abstract) Bioenergy sits at the intersection of three of the worlds great challenges - energy security, climate change, and poverty reduction - and has received an enormous amount of attention in the past few years. Joint work on these issues is vital considering that together, the G8 +5 Countries account for about 55 percent of the worlds population, 70+ percent of global GDP, and about 72 percent of world energy-related and industry CO2 emissions (excluding deforestation). Bioenergy statisti cs, while highly imperfect, are essential to understand the dynamics of bioenergy systems; evaluating the role played by different types of biofuels in the energy sector and supply sources; assessing the share of biomass used (directly and indirectly) for energy purposes; assessing the role of biofuel in GHG inventories; and formulating sound policies. According to the best data available, bioenergy provides about 10 percent of the worlds total primary energy supply (47.2 EJ of bioener gy out of a total of 479 EJ in 2005, i.e. 9.85 percent). Most of this is for use in the residential sector (for heating and cooking) and is produced locally. In 2005 bioenergy represented 78 percent of all global renewable energy produced. Accelerating bioenergy innovation and tackling its main challenges will require strong cooperation, and the Global Bioenergy Partnership aims to play an important role. This overview of current bioenergy developments in G8 +5 Countries should he lp identify where there is common ground in policy priorities and opportunities for international cooperation, as well as provide guidance on what still needs to be done for a sustainable development of bioenergy.

Language English

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