Sommaire: 5 July 2007, Brussels - Opening Speech by Benita Ferrero-Waldner, European Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy, at the International Conference on Biofuels
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I wish you a warm welcome to Brussels for this, the first International Conference on Biofuels hosted by the European Commission. It is enormously satisfying to look around the room and see such a high level of representation from governments and businessmen around the world. Thank you all for making the time and effort to be here.
As concern mounts about the impact of mankind's activities on the global climate, it is this generation's responsibility to look to the future and pave the way for a more responsible and more sustainable pattern of energy use. The need to guarantee our energy security too, should drive us to diversify our sources of supply and our energy mix.
The EU is rising to that challenge - in March we adopted an ambitious package of energy and climate measures. An important part of that package is the development of an external energy security strategy. In co operation with other Commissioners, this is now centre stage in my work as External Relations Commissioner. The aim is to deepen our partnerships around the globe, with producers, transit countries and consumers, to build co-operation for our mutual benefit.
It's for that reason that I called for today's meeting: to launch this dialogue on biofuels with you, the EU's main energy partners.
Your presence here today is highly important. None of us can crack the global challenges alone. The benefits and risks of developing Biofuels on a grand scale, have to be tackled as part of an international agenda.
The EU is determined to take a lead in this debate. You will recall that we have pledged to ensure that renewables account for 20% of our overall energy mix by 2020. And, of particular relevance to today's conference, we made a specific commitment that 10% would be from biofuels.
This clean, renewable source of energy has the potential to help us respond to the dual climate-change-energy-security challenges we face. Production has been increasing rapidly. Indeed, biofuel production is expected to quadruple in the coming years.
In the best scenario, biofuels could offer us some important advantages: one third of the EU's overall CO2 emissions come from transport, so switching to biofuels can make a tremendous contribution to combating climate change. It can also reduce our reliance on expensive, imported fossil fuels, since the transport sector is currently 98% dependent on oil. As the biofuel sector develops it will also create jobs and open up new markets for agricultural production. And it has great potential for
meeting international development goals.
But we cannot afford to turn a blind eye to the potential drawbacks. We need to analyse them - and avoid them. There has been no shortage of media coverage recently about the negative environmental consequences of uncontrolled biofuel production. Poorly managed production can increase rather than decrease greenhouse gas emissions. We know about the negative effects on soil protection, water management, bio-diversity, air protection and the world's forests. Clearly, production must be compatible
with our overall environmental objectives.
That's why we convened today's conference. We need to make sure that the growing international market for biofuels benefits everybody. We need a thorough debate about the key issues around biofuel production and use. And we need to pool our knowledge and resources to make sure we develop Biofuels in a way that is globally sustainable.
In the course of the next two days you will debate some of the most pressing issues: establishing an international market for biofuels; the environmental impact of biofuel production and use; how to maximise the positive contribution of biofuels to economic development; and future research prospects. You will be looking at subjects like the introduction of an incentive system to avoid additional environmental problems and develop second-generation biofuels. And setting up a rigorous
sustainability mechanism to underpin a new market for biofuels.
We want to discuss where we are going and how to get there in a way which best serves our people and our planet. We need a new international consensus to secure our future.
I am particularly delighted President Lula has been able to join us. Brazil's experience is especially relevant for other countries considering investing in biofuel production. I was impressed to learn that half of all cars in Brazil are running on biofuel, and Brazil is certainly well placed to continue to lead the way in the international market place for biofuels. I am sure President Lula and his compatriots will make an important contribution to our discussions.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Before handing over to your first panel, I would like to leave you with one thought. The current pattern of energy consumption is rapidly becoming untenable. It is true that we in Europe live in the part of the world least likely to suffer the most extreme effects of climate change. And it is also true that the most dramatic consequences will probably not be felt within this generation's lifetime.
But the sand has almost finished running through the hourglass, and it is time for international action. This generation of Europeans wants to join with others around the world in taking the necessary steps for the benefit of humanity.
That's why we are gathered here today, to acknowledge that biofuels can be an important part of our contribution to a more sustainable future, and to ensure we have the right tools in place to achieve that.
Claude Mandil Executive Director of the International Energy Agency will chair our discussions today. I am looking forward to productive exchanges, and I thank you again for your participation in this important conference.
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