1. Global Bioenergy Partnership Working together to promote bioenergy for sustainable development
Pierpaolo Garibaldi
Expert of the Italian Ministry for Environment Land and Sea
Global Bioenergy Partnership (GBEP)
LCA GHG methodologies for bioenergy
10 June 2008, Copenhagen

2. G8 Commitments and Mandates
2005 Gleneagles Plan of Action:
“We (the G8) will promote the continued development and commercialisation of renewable energy by: […] d) launching a Global Bioenergy Partnership to support wider, cost effective, biomass and biofuels deployment, particularly in developing countries where biomass use is prevalent, following the Rome International Workshop on Bioenergy”.
2007 Heiligendamm Summit Declaration:
“We invite the Global Bioenergy Partnership (GBEP) to continue its work on biofuel best practices and take forward the successful and sustainable development of bioenergy”
Gleneagles Plan of Action is targeted at combating CLIMATE CHANGE
Bioenergy and GBEP are tool in the fight against climate change
A Global Commitment to Bioenergy
In the 2005 Gleneagles Plan of Action, the G8 +5 (Brazil, China, India, Mexico and South Africa) agreed to launch a Global Bioenergy Partnership to support wider, cost effective, biomass and biofuels deployment, particularly in developing countries.
Following a consultation process among developing and developed countries, international agencies and the private sector, the Global Bioenergy Partnership (GBEP) was launched at the 14th session of the Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD-14) in New York on 11 May 2006.
“We invite the Global Bioenergy Partnership (GBEP) to continue its work on biofuel best practices and take forward the successful and sustainable development of bioenergy” (G8 Summit Declaration - Heiligendamm, 7 June 2007).

3. GBEP – Scope, Partners, Pillars
PARTNERS & Organization
GBEP brings together public, private and civil society stakeholders.
Current partners are: Canada, China, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russian Federation, United Kingdom, United States of America, FAO, IEA, UNCTAD, UN/DESA, UNDP, UNEP, UNIDO, UN Foundation, World Council for Renewable Energy (WCRE) and European Biomass Industry Association (EUBIA). Brazil, India, South Africa, Tanzania, Netherlands, Kenya, Morocco, Mozambique, Sudan, Sweden, Austria, Malaysia and Indonesia are participating as observers in view of their formal membership.
Chair: Corrado Clini, Director General, Ministry for the Environment Land and Sea, Italy
Co-Chair: Juan Mata, Director General, National Energy Savings Commission, Mexico
The GBEP Secretariat, hosted at FAO Headquarters in Rome with the support of Italy, is the coordinator of communications and activities.
BIOENERGY
Traditional and modern bioenergy currently account for 10–14% of total global primary energy consumption.
Bioenergy is a clean source of energy produced from biomass – wood, energy crops and organic wastes and residues.
Different regions and agroecological zones provide different forms of biomass used to make bioenergy .
Biomass can be used to produce electricity, heat, solid, gaseous and liquid fuels for transport.
The majority of rural people in developing countries rely on bioenergy – mostly traditional fuelwood, charcoal and dung for cooking and heating.
Liquid biofuels account for around 2% of road transport fuels worldwide but growth rates and future potential are significant. Current biofuels are bioethanol (based on sugars and starches) and biodiesel (plant oils and animal fats). Second-generation biofuels (including ethanol and biodiesel based on cellulosic feedstocks) are in the development stage.
Biofuel systems can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions by substituting for fossil fuels.
PILLARS
The Partnership builds its activities upon three strategic pillars: Energy Security, Food Security, Sustainable Development.

4. GBEP – Partners
Present Members: Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Japan, Italy, Mexico, Netherlands, UK, Russia, USA, FAO, UNCTAD, UNDESA, UNDP, UNEP, UNIDO, IEA, UN Foundation, WCRE and EUBIA.
Austria, India, Indonesia, Israel, Kenya, Mozambique, South Africa, Sweden, Tanzania, EU, World Bank, EEA are observers
Chair Italy, supported by the Secretariat operated by FAO.

5. GBEP Objectives Favour efficient and sustainable uses of biomass
Facilitate bioenergy integration into energy markets
Create a global high-level policy dialogue and facilitate international collaboration
Foster the exchange of information
Act as a cross-cutting initiative, working in synergy with other relevant activities and avoiding duplications
Objectives contained in the GBEP Terms of Reference
2.1 Create a global high level policy dialogue on bioenergy, supporting national, regional and international bioenergy policy discussions, that facilitate international cooperation and market development;
2.2 Develop and encourage collaborative project activities in the bioenergy field;
2.3 Foster the exchange of information, knowledge skills and technologies by identifying and promoting potential areas of bilateral and multilateral collaboration on research, development, demonstration, and commercial utilization of bioenergy;
2.4 Facilitate bioenergy integration into energy markets by identifying, assessing and addressing specific barriers in the supply chain;
2.5 Favour the transformation of biomass use towards more efficient and sustainable practices;
2.6 Promote the use of biofuels to replace the use of petroleum-based fuels in transportation;
2.7 Act as a cross cutting initiative, working in synergy with other relevant initiatives and partnerships e.g. REN21, REEEP, MEDREP, IPHE, Methane to Markets, Implementing Agreements of the IEA, as well as with other relevant international organizations, to avoid duplicating ongoing activities;
2.8 Foster analysis of environmental implications of bioenergy including biodiversity, effects on climate change and land use, and promote the optimum use of bioenergy for sustainable development;
2.9 Provide a forum to analyze and develop policy recommendations on technical guidance for internationally-recognized interoperability standards;
2.10 Engage the private sector as an integral part of the cooperative activities of the Partnership, as well as development banks, research institutions, and other relevant organizations, as appropriate;
2.11 Increase public awareness of, and educate consumers about, bioenergy;
2.12 Recognize projects that meet specific criteria developed by the Partners.

6. GBEP Added Value Focus on bioenergy as a key renewable energy source
Strong political commitment - promote bioenergy in line with climate change, energy security & food security considerations
A voluntary forum to facilitate international dialogue
Priority given to developing countries
Exchange of experience and technologies – North-South, South-South, South-North
Engagement of the private sector
Visibility of bioenergy opportunities and challenges at international level & Integration into development initiatives.
Improved coordination across sectors and stakeholders
GBEP Added Value
GBEP aims to make a unique contribution to the sustainable development of bioenergy through its focus and membership:
A specific focus on bioenergy as a key renewable energy source
Better coordination on bioenergy both across sectors and between public, private and civil society parties
Facilitating the engagement of the private sector
Focus on developing countries, where biomass use is prevalent, and facilitate an exchange of experiences and technologies not only North-South, but also South-South and South-North
Raising visibility of bioenergy opportunities and issues at the international level and including bioenergy in relevant development initiatives
Reflecting and supporting the strong political commitment to promote bioenergy
GBEP will build upon the successful experience of partnerships in related renewable energy sub-sectors.

7. GBEP Programme of Work
First GBEP Report “A Review of the Current State of Bioenergy Development in G8 +5 Countries”
Facilitate the sustainable development of bioenergy and collaboration on bioenergy field projects.
Raising awareness and information management
Harmonization of methodologies for measuring GHG emission reductions for transport biofuels and solid biomass

8. GBEP Programme of Work FIRST GBEP REPORT
“A Review of the Current State of Bioenergy Development in G8 +5 Countries”
It provides an overview of the current state of bioenergy development in G8 +5 Countries. It helps identify where there is common ground in policy priorities and concerns, and opportunities for international cooperation, as well as providing guidance on what still needs to be done for a sustainable development of bioenergy.
GBEP presented this Report on 13 November 2007 in Rome at the 20th World Energy Congress.
The Report is available at

9. GBEP Programme of Work SUSTAINABLE BIOENERGY AND FIELD PROJECTS
“GBEP Task Force on Sustainability” (UK leading Partner)
Actions and Objectives:
Develop an inventory of what is being done on bioenergy sustainability internationally;
Identify and discuss commonalities, differences and issues requiring further consideration;
Facilitate the sharing of information, data, experiences and best practices relating to sustainable bioenergy production and use;
Promote shared understanding with a view to developing a voluntary and flexible framework on sustainable bioenergy and ways to achieve it.
This work will provide a reference for all interested stakeholders and in the formulation of national policies and international cooperation programmes.

10. GBEP Programme of Work RAISING AWARENESS AND INFORMATION MANAGEMENT
This GBEP activity seeks to increase the understanding of pertinent issues related to bioenergy development among Partners and between the Partnership, other technical and political actors, and the general public.
GBEP’s awareness-raising and information management activities are focusing on two main areas:
development of GBEP information material and a GBEP website (
participation in relevant international conferences and meetings focused on bioenergy, and organization of specific GBEP events.

11. GBEP Programme of Work HARMONIZATION OF GHG METHODOLOGIES
GBEP Task Force on the harmonization of methodologies for measuring GHG emission reductions from the use of biofuels for transportation and solid biomass
Established by GBEP Steering Committee in May 2007.
Desired end result is a flexible methodology for policy makers in all countries.
First taskforce meeting held October 2007
Second meeting held 6-7 March 2008
Goal of taskforce is to focus global efforts on harmonisation of methodologies for measuring the GHG benefits of transport biofuels.
Developed and developing countries 11

12. Task Force on GHG Methodologies Work Plan
GBEP Steering Committee set forth 5 key elements:
Review existing methodologies;
Develop a harmonised approach so GHG lifecycle assessments can be compared on an equivalent basis;
Encompass the full well-to-wheel lifecycle of transport biofuels;
Not indicate a preference for any particular existing methodology or feedstock, or to limit parameters; and
Define parameters and inputs to be considered when conducting a LCA and develop a good practice document.

13. GHG Methodologies Task Force Results of 1st Meeting
Accomplished review of existing efforts in defining methodologies
Reached broad agreement that it is possible to develop common methodology
Developed preliminary list of parameters needed for a common methodology in a “checklist”
Recognized issues needing further discussion

14. GHG Methodologies Task Force Development of a Common “Checklist”
The GHGs to be covered;
The effects of direct land use change, both in terms of above and below ground carbon inventories (US lead);
The effects of the production cycle, including fertilizer production, agricultural inputs and processing energy (EC lead);
Combustion of the finished biofuel and tailpipe emissions (Germany lead);
Corresponding factors to facilitate comparison with the fuel replaced (Brazil lead).

15. GHG Methodologies Task Force Main Issues Needing Further Discussion
Accounting for co-product emissions;
Ensuring transparency in default values and parameters used, and assumptions made, in conducting a GHG lifecycle assessment;
Whether and how to take account of the effects of indirect land use change;
How to take account of future technologies (e.g. cellulosic) in the design of the methodology.

16. GHG Methodologies Task Force Results of 2nd Taskforce Meeting
Task Force decided more appropriate and feasible to develop a methodological framework (next slide).
Includes solid biomass per GBEP Steering Committee.
The methodological framework provides a reference of pertinent questions for countries/institutions to ask when seeking to develop a GHG methodology.
Although answers may differ, having a commonly agreed set of questions increases transparency and facilitates comparability.

17. GBEP GHG Methodology Framework -DRAFT-

18. 1. What are the GHGs covered?
CO % (fossil 56.6; deforestation 17.3; other 2.8)
N2O CH
OTHER 1.1

19. 2: Is the biomass a waste?
Municipal waste
Grease
Manure

20. 3: Is there land use change?
Change inventory of above ground biomass
Deforestation by slash and burn
Deforestation by timbering
Maintenance pruning
Forest replaced by oil seed trees
Deforestation vs energy recovery
Perennial energy crops on degradated land (jatropha)
Net carbon emission from soil degradation
Net carbon accumulation from change in cropping system
Net carbon accumulation from annual to perennial
Is indirect land-use considered?
Questions being further developed by subgroup 1 led by Unites States

21. 4: How is the biomass feedstock produced?
IPCC guidelines
Energy use of farm machinery
Energy content for delivery irrigation water
Energy content of fertilizers
CO2 emission from limestone to lime field for stabilizing soil acidity
Energy use of pesticides
N2O production off farm downstream
Reduction of energy cost used for coproducts
Seeds
Questions being further developed by subgroup 1 led by the United States

22. 5: Are there any Byproducts/coproducts?
Questions being developed by Subgroup 2 led by EC

23. 6: Is the biomass transported away from the production site?
Trasportation to processing plant
Questions being further developed by Subgroup 3 led by Germany

24. 7: Does the biomass need to be processed into fuels?
What is the energy content of the production supplies
Energy used in processing cycle
Energy expended in plant construction
Questions being further developed by Subgroup 2 led by the EC

25. 8: Does the fuel need to be transported for use?
Average transportation to retailer
Other
Questions being further developed by Subgroup 3 led by Germany

26. 9: What are the GHG emissions from fuel use?
Electricity
Heat/Energy
Questions being further developed by Subgroup 3 led by Germany
Liquid fuel usage: well to wheels
Miles per energy units
Tail pipe emissions
Questions being further develop by Subgroup 3 led by Germany

27. 10: How does it compare to fuel replaced?
Biofuel LCA compared to fossil fuel LCA
Crude oil extraction – type of crude could impact emission (tar sands, heavy vs light and treatment associated natural gas (flaring vs capture)
Crude transport
Refining energy use and allocation between coproducts
Fuel transport and distribution, tail pipe emission
Questions being further developed by Subgroup 4 led by Brazil

28. GHG Methodologies Task Force Next Steps
Continue meeting and define timeline for finishing final methodology by March 2009.
Goal to finalize questions by June and have first draft by late 2008
Draft of checklist will be made available for comments
Comments incorporated and submitted to GBEP Steering Committee for approval
After comments GBEP will develop a template and good practice guidance on what the methodology should be as well as guidance for policy makers

29. For further information
GBEP Secretariat
Food and Agriculture Organization
Rome - ITALY