Bio fuels and energy justice

Between potentials and realities

Maria Arce Moreira

The Global ChallengeBillions of women and men lack access to services and fundamental needs

2.4 billion without access to improved sanitation

2 billion people without access to electricity

1.5 billion people in inadequate shelter

1 billion without access to improved water supply

50% of urban waste in developing countries is not collected

850 million people hungry

What does that mean for poverty?

It is a big part of what it means to be poor

It is a consequence of poverty – the result of lacking income, land, power

It is a cause of poverty – reducing productivity, increasing vulnerability, closing options to escape poverty.

Two worlds in disconnect

Three billion people rely on firewood for cooking

2 billion people without access to electricity

Unequal energy access but also energy use

Electricity consumption per capita: in the USA 13052 kW

in Vietnam 331 kW

Rural Thailand average electricity consumption: 1st year 11-22 kW/month

after 5 years 22-50 kW/month

More energy poor in the future

Electricity Deprivation: Africa: 526m 584m (2030)

Lacking access to clean cooking fuels: Global: 2.5bn 2.7bn (2030)

Source: IEA WEO (2004) Source: IEA WEO (2006)

People Relying on Traditional Biomass (million)

Can biofuels help address energy poverty?

Biodiesel & transport for isolated Amazon communities in Peru

The Mali Folk centre Jatropha energy platform concept

http://www.malifolkecenter.org/lowersection/Dep3_NRM/jatropha/energy_platform/jat_energy_platform_frames.html

Ethanol clean cook stove

There is rhetorical agreement Access to energy is fundamental to achieve the MDGs and overcome poverty.

Climate change requires transformation of the energy systems

The livelihoods of the poor are directly dependent on their ecosystems and the services these offer.

Reality shows that

UN processes have the mandate to address sustainable development as a whole.

But: Who is involved, whose interests are really

represented and whose voices heard? Focus on specific/convenient aspects of the

issue rather than applying an integrated and multilayered approach.

Potentials overestimated and used to justify biased interests.

Market forces stronger than diplomats’ labia.

Therefore Articulate and incorporate poor people’s processes and agendas in our international work in a more structured manner. (Nyeleni’s agenda). Become facilitator and strategic partner rather than talk on behalf of. Open and use existing spaces at international platforms to bring the voices of the most affected and their organisations at the forefront.

Can biofuels address energy access for the poor?

There is potential to increase access under some circumstances BUT this option needs to be compared with other renewables that may be more economically and environmentally sustainable and viable.

Although simple technologies exist there needs to be an assessment of the affordability, capacities to manage the system and long-term sustainability.

Above all there needs to be specific policies addressing energy poverty in an integrated manner.

Thanks for your attention