Japanese NGOs Appeal to Gov't for Sustainable Biofuel Use

In a written statement submitted on June 5, 2006, FoE Japan, an international environmental NGO, the Global Environmental Forum and three other organizations, as well as 13 individuals, called for measures to secure sustainable biomass fuel resources by the Cabinet Office, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. The request expresses their concerns regarding the government's policy to import biomass fuels on a large scale.

Aiming to curb global warming, the government has set a goal to introduce biomass-based transport fuels equivalent to 500,000 kiloliters of oil by 2010. According to the report compiled by the committee for promoting the use of eco-fuels of the Ministry of the Environment, 455,000 to 460,000 kiloliters of this total would be imported.

The statement requests that the government take three measures in consideration of the environmental and social problems in palm oil-producing countries such as Malaysia, Indonesia and ethanol-producing countries such as Brazil.

The measures are: (1) to give priority to the domestic/local biomass fuels; (2) with regard to the imported fuels, to give preference to fuels from environmentally and socially-sustainable producers, while providing producers with guidelines regarding supply chains and for fulfilling their commitment to transparency; and (3) to lead the world in promoting further sustainable use of biomass-based fuels, as well as in implementing measures against illegal logging.

http://www.foejapan.org/en/
http://www.rspo.org/
http://www.rspo.org/PDF/CWG/RSPO%20Criteria%20Final%20Guidance%20with%20NI%20Document.pdf
- Lion Corp. Urged to Stop Saying 'Palm Oil Is Eco-Friendly' (Related JFS article)
http://www.japanfs.org/db/1414-e

Posted: 2006/10/02 06:25:42 AM
Japanese version