Llibro_ISF_biodiesel

10 | Anne Nuria Kemnitz | Biodiesel in the EU and in development countries | 83
Although Europe was the first to develop a large scale biodiesel industry, this biofuel is becoming more and
more a world-wide reality and many countries have developed legislations or strategies to promote biofuels,
notably the US, Brazil, Malaysia, Thailand and India.
THE ROLE OF BIODIESEL IN EC
AND INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION
Biofuels (i.e. both biodiesel and bioethanol) have a potential for international development policy and
represent the main solution today to tackle the problem of GHG emissions in the transport sector, which is
heavily dependent on fossil energies and imports (especially diesel imports in Europe). In most parts of the
world, transport is the only industrial sector where GHG emissions keep rising (around 20% in the period
1990-1999), and so far no other alternative energy options apart from biofuels are widely available and are
competitive with mineral diesel.
The development of a biodiesel industry can occur at different scales and contribute to different objectives.
Poverty reduction and development in rural areas is one of these objectives. The production of biodiesel,
using appropriate technologies can serve as an outlet for rural communities to generate an alternative
source of income and employment, while reducing livelihood vulnerabilities related to a dependency on
fluctuating mineral oil prices.
Recent studies undertaken in France and Germany suggest that up to 20 jobs can be generated per 1000
tonnes of biodiesel produced, depending on the specific raw materials and technologies used. Although
this employment output is based on the EU production context, the general conclusion is that investments
into biodiesel production can constitute an important measure to contribute to job creation and
development in marginalised areas.
To analyse the market perspectives and challenges for an emerging global biodiesel market, the specific local
climatic conditions, available raw materials base and rural development objectives need to be taken into
consideration. Besides a supportive legislative framework at national level, the availability of funds for bio-energy
investments play an important role for the perspectives of a biodiesel industry in a developing country context.
The World Bank and EBRD are amongst the major donor organisations that have designated funds
specifically for the development of biodiesel projects. The EU, under the so-called “Coopener Programme”
promotes capacity-building and training related to biodiesel production in developing countries.
The underlying objective of this EC Commission initiative is to strengthen local policies and legislation and
to encourage sustainable energy services for poverty alleviation and sustainable development.
LOOKING AHEAD: THE FUTURE OF BIODIESEL
IN A GLOBALISING WORLD
Across the world, the main challenge faced by the biodiesel industry today seems to relate to enhanced
cooperation with national institutions to demonstrate biofuels shortages together with the irreplaceable role
of biofuels to reduce GHG emissions from the transport sector.