Rome, 20 July 2024 -  FAO and other international organizations unite to call for responsible and sustainable implementation of bioenergy systems to ensure it contributes effectively to efforts to mitigate climate change and support global development.

A cross-initiative coordination group on bioenergy convened by the Global Bioenergy Partnership (GBEP) has issued a joint statement underscoring the significance of sustainable bioenergy in addressing climate change and critical development challenges.

Endorsed by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), GBEP, Clean Energy Ministerial Biofuture Platform Initiative, International Energy Agency (IEA), IEA Bioenergy Technology Collaboration Programme, International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), and United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), the statement outlines the many benefits of sustainable bioenergy, including fostering inclusive and just energy transitions, enhancing energy security and rural development, and boosting agricultural productivity and job creation.

The group also acknowledges the complexity of bioenergy systems and the necessity for robust and inclusive governance to ensure sustainability and minimize the risks of negative impacts.

“Good governance builds on evidence-based assessment of environmental, economic, social and political factors, and safeguards food and energy security, climate justice, biodiversity stewardship, land and water rights and local development priorities. It follows the principles of nature-based solutions, including local stakeholder engagement, and free, prior and informed consent,” the statement reads.

Months of collaborative effort and rigorous discussions culminated in the development of this joint statement, which marks a significant step forward in galvanizing global efforts to harness bioenergy as a key solution to combat climate change and advance the sustainable development goals.

The joint statement was issued at the 11th GBEP Bioenergy Week organized by FAO from 17-21 June, which gathered over 120 stakeholders from 27 countries, including government officials, bioenergy experts and researchers to discuss best practices, challenges, and opportunities in the bioenergy sector, and share knowledge essential for the sustainable development of bioenergy.

Read the full joint statement here.

More information: The cross-initiative coordination group on bioenergy was born in May 2023 between a group of international organizations who are Partners and Observers of GBEP, with the objectives of: aligning and complementing the efforts of various initiatives and preventing overlapping activities; strategizing joint communications; fostering collaborative participation in high-level fora; and mobilizing resources for collective progress.