Dear colleagues,
This is an announcement for all those participating in discussions on biofuel subsidies around the G-20 Summit in Los Cabos and Rio+20.
The International Institute for Sustainable Development’s (IISD) Global Subsidies Initiative (GSI) has just published a report entitled ‘State of Play on Biofuel Subsidies: Are policies ready to shift?’
The paper summarizes and discusses policy literature on the over US$ 20 billion in subsidies for biofuel production and consumption globally. Why are governments subsidizing biofuels? What are the actual impacts? Is there a need for change? In particular, the report examines the influence of three dynamic factors on the biofuels debate: the “food versus fuel” debate, advanced biofuels developments and the austerity policies necessitated by the financial and economic crisis. It concludes with recommendations for governments.
The paper is now available at http://www.iisd.org/gsi/biofuel-subsidies/biofuels-state-play-2012, but media reports are embargoed until 19 June when the paper will be discussed on the sidelines of the Business Day of BASD/ICC at Rio+20.
All those interested in this event are warmly invited to attend (no registration required). It will take place on 19th June, 10.45 – 11.45, at the Windsor Barra Hotel, 1st Floor, Meeting Room “Bandeirantes”, Av. Sernambetiba 2630, Rio de Janeiro.
The discussion panel is organized by Nestlé S.A. and will include the following speakers:
– Peter Brabeck-Letmathe, Chairman Nestlé S.A., Chairman of the 2030 Water Resources Group
– Mark Halle, Executive Director, International Institute of Sustainable Development – Europe
– Adriano Campolina, Director of ActionAid Brazil
– Simon Upton, OECD Environment Director
– Minister Ida Auken, Danish Ministry of the Environment (tbc)
For any enquiries about the paper, please contact Ivetta Gerasimchuk, IISD-GSI Research Officer, [email protected].
Yours sincerely,
Christopher Beaton
Research Analyst and Communications Officer
The International Institute for Sustainable Development
9 chemin de Balexert,
1219, Geneva, Switzerland
Phone: +41.22.917.8748
Fax: +41.22.917.8054