Wednesday, April 21, 2010 - 9:00 AM
7-03

Inter-American Development Bank efforts in promoting sustainable biofuels

Gloria Visconti, Sustainable Energy and Climate Change Unit, Inter-American Development Bank, 1300 New York Avenue, N.W., , USA, Washington, DC 20577

Many countries have set up ambitious mandatory targets for biofuels consumption and production, driven by climate change and energy security concerns. An increase in the global trade of biofuels is likely to happen and developing countries, lead by Brazil, have tremendous opportunity for both for domestic use and export.

 However, the international community is debating the real impact of biofuels on sustainable development and many efforts are in place to “certify” the sustainability of biofuels.

 The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) is playing a key role in this area, given its strategic focus on providing assistance to LAC countries for the development of sustainable biofuels, and in fostering the introduction of policies that will enable them to reach economic and environment goals through the expansion of biofuels markets.

 To this end, the IDB has developed the Biofuels Sustainability Scorecard (www.iadb.org/biofuelsscorecard) that includes key sustainability criteria to incentive more sustainable practices in biofuels projects.
This tool has equipped the IDB and its clients with cutting-edge applied knowledge designed to strengthen the development effectiveness of interventions in the region.

 In addition to the continuum enhancement of the Scorecard, IDB is developing an activity focused on addressing practical challenges to implementing and complying with sustainability criteria, and brainstorming potential solutions for piloting and further study.



Web Page: www.iadb.org/biofuelsscorecard

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