Conferences in Japan, Thailand Promote Biomass in Asia

The first meeting of a committee for promoting the use of eco-fuels was held, open to public, in Tokyo on December 13, 2005 by the Japanese Ministry of the Environment (MOE). The committee was established under the ministry with an aim to pave the way for the large-scale introduction of biomass-derived fuels, or "eco-fuels," as substitutes for petroleum. In the meeting, following the evaluation of the present status of biomass-based transport fuels such as bioethanol, concrete schemes and measures were discussed to introduce biomass fuels on a large scale.

Japan has included the promotion of renewable energy sources such as biomass energy in its plan for meeting its commitment under the Kyoto Protocol, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by six percent from the 1990 level during the period from 2008 through 2012. Biomass fuels and other non-fossil fuels are also attracting more attention these days as a result of the recent upsurge in oil prices.

Meanwhile in Thailand, the Second Biomass Asia Workshop was held from December 13 to 15 in 2005. It was organized by the Biomass-Asia Research Consortium, whose secretariat is hosted in Japan by the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), and the Biomass Nippon Strategy Promotion Council Secretariat under the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), in collaboration with the Thai government.

It is estimated more than 40 percent of the world's biomass resources lie in Asia, while the region also raises concerns about growing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions associated with future economic and population growth. The AIST aims to establish a sustainable, recycle-oriented society, to foster environment-conscious industries for the post-oil era, and to revitalize agricultural and marine industries, through further cooperation among Asian countries for utilizing biomass resources as a means of curbing carbon dioxide emissions. In the research and development, the institute will formulate strategies for technology transfer and intellectual property, both in Japan and other Asian countries, as well as for international standard-setting.

http://unit.aist.go.jp/internat/biomassws/02workshop/index.html

Posted: 2006/03/26 09:04:29 AM
Japanese version