Developing Countries Receive Boost For Renewable Energy Under New UN Plan
New York, Jun 23 2005 2:00PM
Developing countries will receive extra help to exploit their renewable energy potential, such as fuels derived from
agricultural crops, under a new initiative launched this week by the United Nations agency entrusted with integrating
developing states into the world economy.
Under the BioFuels Initiative, the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) will coordinate the various
activities carried out jointly with other UN agencies, the private sector, non-governmental organizations and applied
research centres, to build capacity in production, use and trade of biofuels.
Biofuels (bioethanol, biodiesel and biogas), derived from crops such as sugar beet and sunflower are an ecological
alternative to conventional fossil fuels, which are expected to last no more than 50 years for petroleum, 60 years for
natural gas and 200 years for coal. Careless use and consumption of these latter fuels has caused climate change and
high concentration of air pollutants in major cities.
The BioFuels Initiative focuses on new trade and investment opportunities for developing countries, on implications for
poverty reduction, and on the supply-side constraints of increasing the production, use and trade of these fuels.
As petrol prices rise, biofuel production, domestic use and trade reduce oil import dependency and increase energy
security. Biofuel production creates employment, encourages greater diversification and promotes rural development.
Reducing greenhouse gas emissions is an effective way of fighting global warming by burning less carbon and reducing
greenhouse gas emissions. For both developed and developing countries it may provide a pragmatic alternative for meeting
their commitments to combat climate change and achieve the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) of slashing poverty,
hunger and other socio-economic ills by 2015.
ENDS