Charlie Henderson (Climate Futures)-Biofuels Case Study
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Transcript of Charlie Henderson (Climate Futures)-Biofuels Case Study
Biofuels in Malawi
Charlie Henderson
Climate Futures and JANEEMO
Global Community Links
Biofuels in Malawi
• drivers for biofuels
• what’s currently happening
• two case studies: BERL and JANEEMO
• big biofuel questions
Global Community Links
Why biofuels?
• surging oil prices and tightening carbon budgets driving international demand
• FOREX shortages: agriculture provided over 90% in 2003
• Employment: over 85% of population in agriculture
• Fuel shortages: big contributor to unrest
• Land and climate suitable for many biofuel crops Global Community Links
National approach and shortcomings
• As presented by Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority (MERA)
• The energy laws 2004 recognise biofuels in the energy mix
• however, little or no regulatory environment on timing or implementation of targets, incentives for investment, feedstock types
• also: need for RTD, oil company embracing of blends, export/national level playing fields
Biofuels Association in Malawi
• producers, NGOs, government representatives
• holds events, lobbies government for overarching policies
• a single voice to Government
• chaired by BERL
Global Community Links
BFA is lobbying for
• price parity, VAT
• consultants appointed to consider tax for industry sustainability, food production, poverty, land use
• protecting local producers by banning imports (‘side selling’)
• which feedstock? eg Jatropha, soya, sunflower
• standards
• alignment of policies ie agriculture, finance, trade, development planning
Global Community Links
BERL • Bio-Energy Resources Ltd • Founded 2006, investment 2008 • 70 field staff – 10 districts including Salima, Kasungu, Lilongwe • signed up over 20,000 smallholders • planted Jatropha as boundary fences: 600-1000 trees • guaranteed 25 MK per kg, 10 year contract • processed to paraffin substitute
Global Community Links
BERL
• proof of concept processing plant being built
• expecting 110,000 litres in 2012
• and 4m litres in 2016
Global Community Links
JANEEMO • agro-forestry initiative at the smallholder level (2000 households)
• Jatropha, planted as boundary fence; Neem (pollarded for firewood); Moringa (intercropped and boundary)
• encourage use and trading locally
Comparison
- Malawian - Scot / Malawian
- commercial - Donor, NfP, local
- fixed price - n/a
- long term contract - n/a
-Jatropha (alongside - Jatropha, Neem other staples) and Moringa
- lobbies government - not political
Global Community Links
Big biofuel questions • Does the emerging biofuels industry present a viable job market for Malawian farmers?
• Does this threaten food security?
• How therefore can a food/biofuel balance be struck?
• What are the best smallholder models for sustainable food / biofuel production?
• what crops?
• which planting techniques eg boundary fencing, alley cropping, river banks, monoculture
Global Community Links
Big biofuel questions
• Should biofuel be exported?
• How do biofuels complement other environmental initiatives eg reforestation, erosion control?
• Will biofuels replace forests or grasslands?
• How can a partnership model between Malawi and Scotland best foster successful biofuel enterprises?
Global Community Links