FAO Touts Bioenergy

ROME - Jun 2/04 - SNS -- Political leaders are not doing enough to promote the use of renewable energy sources such as biomass, solar and wind energy, argues the FAO's Gustavo Best, senior FAO energy coordinator in a presentation to the International Conference on Renewable Energies in Bonn this week.

"Countries need to move towards more sustainable energy systems based on energy sources such as biomass, solar and wind energies," Best said in a prepared speech. Bioenergy includes fuelwood and charcoal, energy crops such as sugar cane, sweet sorghum and rapeseed and agricultural and forestry residues, to produce heat, ethanol, biodiesel, bioelectricity or biogas.

Best argues bioenergy offers great opportunities for developing countries in creating income and labor opportunities.

"The production and use of bioenergy also contributes to poverty alleviation and food security. It can reduce land degradation and helps to mitigate climate change," Best said.

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