Scaling up the sustainable bioeconomy: A new chapter for the Biofuture Platform - UNFCCC High Level Side Event during C

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Event concept

According to analysis and findings by agencies and organizations such as the IPCC, IEA and IRENA, the world has to significantly increase bioenergy use in transport, heat, industry and power sectors in the next decade in order to limit the increase in global average temperature to well below 2ºC above pre-industrial levels. With proper policies and practices, the deployment of bioenergy and bio-based materials and chemicals can also reduce atmospheric pollution, enhance energy diversity and security, reduce dependency on fossil sources, and promote social and economic development.

In November 2017, during UNFCCC COP 23, a group of major countries united in the Biofuture Platform coalition agreed to scale up the low carbon bioeconomy and develop targets and action plans to sustainably increase deployment of bioenergy and bio-based products. The Biofuture Vision Declaration paved the way to increase ambition and guide further actions by the initiative.

Now, on December 10, 2018, at the COP24, the Biofuture Platform countries and partners will renew their commitment to scaling up the sustainable low carbon bioeconomy and write the next chapter for the initiative. This high-level event, to be held in the Polish Pavillion, will be co-hosted by the UNFCCC COP24 President, Michał Kurtyka, the IEA Executive-Director, Fatih Birol; and the Minister of Environment of Brazil, Mr. Edson Duarte.

This year’s event will include: i) the launch of the “Creating the Biofuture” report; ii) highlights of major new national initiatives and policies by Biofuture member countries to scale up the bioeconomy, and iii) the announcement and formalization of the way forward of the initiative agreed by member countries, including a new governance framework, and the stepping up of the IEA´s engagement with the initiative (see draft programme).

The event will build on successful Biofuture Platform meetings held during COP22 and COP23, during which landmark decisions were made by Member States to launch the Biofuture Platform (COP22, Marrakesh) and to endorse the Biofuture Vision Declaration “Scaling up the low carbon bioeconomy: an urgent and vital challenge” (COP23).

Programme

12:30 Opening Statements by event co-Chairs

– Michał Kurtyka, UNFCCC COP24 President

– Edson Duarte, Minister of Environment, Brazil

– Fatih Birol, Executive Director, International Energy Agency (IEA)

12h50 Endorsement of the Biofuture Governance Framework Document and Official Photograph.

13h00 Short Documentary: “The Biofuture we Need Now”

13h10 Policy brief: there´s a need and there´s a way for the bioeconomy:

– Launch and presentation of findings from the “Creating the Biofuture Report”

– Presentation of findings from the “IEA Renewables 2018” Report

13h25 Addresses by Ministers and Heads of Delegation – Highlighting policy action at the national level

13h55 Closing remarks

– Dr. Fatih Birol, Executive Director, International Energy Agency

– Amb. J. Antonio Marcondes, Biofuture Platform interim Facilitator