FAO news

Energy-smart” food systems needed to address energy and food security in a sustainable way

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 23:00:00 GMT

As the "International Year of Sustainable Energy for All" kicks off today, FAO will discuss how the food sector can tackle energy challenges to safeguard an energy and food-secure future in the context of climate change during a Roundtable discussion during the World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi, 18 January 2012.

"Energy-smart" agriculture needed to escape fossil fuel trap

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 23:00:00 GMT

The global food system needs to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels to succeed in feeding a growing world population, according to a report launched during UN Climate Change talks in Durban, South Africa in 2011. "There is justifiable concern that the current dependence of the food sector on fossil fuels may limit the sector's ability to meet global food demands. The challenge is to decouple food prices from fluctuating and rising fossil fuel prices."

Listening to producers - BEFSCI Questionnaire Launched

Sun, 06 Mar 2011 23:00:00 GMT

BEFSCI is reaching out to producers to catalogue and showcase innovative approaches that have been used in sustainable bioenergy initiatives. We want to hear stories, experiences, lessons learned about what made these pioneering activities a success both for the producers and for the local communities. We also would like to cover as wide a range as possible of bioenergy feedstocks.

From 10 to 24 January, BEFSCI organized an online consultation on FAO’s Global Forum on Food Security and Nutrition (FSN Forum) on “Addressing Food Security in Biofuel Certification”.Online consultation on biofuel certification and food security

Sun, 23 Jan 2011 23:00:00 GMT

From 10 to 24 January, BEFSCI organized an online consultation on FAO’s Global Forum on Food Security and Nutrition (FSN Forum) on “Addressing Food Security in Biofuel Certification”.

BEFSCI organized a consultation on the Global Forum on Food Security and Nutrition (FSN Forum) on 'Measuring the Impacts of Bioenergy Production on Food Security'

Mon, 11 Oct 2010 22:00:00 GMT

BEFSCI organized a consultation on the Global Forum on Food Security and Nutrition (FSN Forum) on 'Measuring the Impacts of Bioenergy Production on Food Security'.

The Bioenergy and Food Security (BEFS) project has released several new documents.

Mon, 11 Oct 2010 22:00:00 GMT

The Bioenergy and Food Security (BEFS) project has released several new documents.

Key messages of the First FAO-BEFSCI Technical Consultation “Criteria and Indicators on Sustainable Bioenergy Production that Safeguards Food Security”

Mon, 12 Apr 2010 22:00:00 GMT

The first FAO-BEFSCI technical consultation took place at FAO Headquarters in Rome from 2 to 4 November 2009. The overall aims of the consultation were to discuss the links between bioenergy production and food security and identify a preliminary set of criteria and indicators on sustainable bioenergy production that safeguards food security. For further information please refer to http://www.fao.org/bioenergy/foodsecurity/befsci/61738/en/

New publication - Jatropha: A Smallholder Crop. The Potential for Pro-Poor Development

Mon, 22 Feb 2010 23:00:00 GMT

As developing countries face increasing local demand for energy in rural areas, they are also dealing with both economic and environmental pressure on agricultural lands. The possibility of growing energy crops such as Jatropha Curcas L. has the potential to enable smallholder farmers, producers and processors to cope with these pressures. However, many of the actual investments and policy decisions on developing jatropha as an oil crop have been made without the backing of sufficient science-based knowledge. Realizing the true potential of jatropha requires separating facts from the claims and half-truths. This review is based on the records of the International Consultationon Pro-Poor Jatropha Development held in April 2008, in Rome, Italy, and hosted by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the United Nations Foundation (UNF) and the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation.

Key messages on “How to design, implement and replicate sustainable small-scale livelihood-oriented bioenergy initiatives, based on the Technical Consultation held in FAO, Rome, 28-29 October 2009

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 23:00:00 GMT

These key messages are drawn from the Technical Consultation on "How to design, implement and replicate sustainable small-scale livelihood-oriented bioenergy initiatives", which was held in FAO, Rome, 28-29 October. They enforce the findings of recent studies on small scale bioenergy development schemes by UN agencies such as UNDESA, UNEP, FAO, and experience from other organizations like SNV, Practical Action, GVEP-I and FACT Foundation. They show that Sustainable Small-Scale Livelihood-oriented Bioenergy (SSLB) initiatives can provide improved access to sustainable and affordable energy services and enhance livelihoods for rural people and resilience to climate change, without negative impact on food production and the environment. However significant challenges lie ahead regarding their up scaling to a level where they have significant impacts. These key messages provide some practical indications on how to address those issues.

Online consultation on biofuel certification and food security

Sat, 23 Jan 2010 23:00:00 GMT

From 10 to 24 January, BEFSCI organized an online consultation on FAO’s Global Forum on Food Security and Nutrition (FSN Forum) on “Addressing Food Security in Biofuel Certification”.

Algae-based Biofuels: A Review of Challenges and Opportunities for Developing Countries. Printed version now available.

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 23:00:00 GMT

In this review paper the different technological components and the most common systems for culturing algae for energy purposes are discussed . It serves as an initial analysis of suitability and environmental, economic and social sustainability in the context of potential and threats for developing countries. The printed version is available now as part of the Environment, Climate Change and Bioenergy Division (NRC) Green Series.

First FAO-BEFSCI Technical Consultation on Criteria and Indicators on Sustainable Bioenergy Production that Safeguards Food Security

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 22:00:00 GMT

The FAO’s Bioenergy and Food Security Criteria and Indicators (BEFSCI) project will hold its first technical consultation from 2 to 4 November 2009, at FAO Headquarters in Rome. The consultation will discuss the links between bioenergy production and food security and will identify a preliminary set of principles, criteria and indicators on sustainable bioenergy production that safeguards food security.

Study shows bioenergy benefits for rural poor

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 22:00:00 GMT

Bioenergy, when produced on a small-scale in local communities, can play a significant role in rural development in poor countries, according to a new report jointly published by FAO and the UK’s Department for International Development (DFID). The study, “Small Scale Bioenergy Initiatives: Brief Description and Preliminary Lessons on Livelihood Impacts from Case Studies in Latin America, Asia and Africa,” covers 15 different “start-up” bioenergy projects from 12 countries in Latin America, Africa and Asia involving a diverse array of technologies.

Rethinking the value of planted forests

Thu, 26 Feb 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Demand from industry and climate change mitigation increase planted forest potential With two-thirds of potential industrial wood production available from planted rather than naturally occuring forests, the contribution of planted forests has become increasingly critical to future wood supplies, notes a new FAO study. “Planted forests also help counter the negative affects of global warming by absorbing up to 1.5 Gigatonnes of carbon every year, which is in parity with current emissions from deforestation,” says FAO’s Jim Carle, Chief of the Forest Resources Development Service and co-author of the study.

Early indications hint at smaller 2009 cereal crop

Wed, 11 Feb 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Despite bumper 2008 harvests, high prices persist in many poor countries Early indications point to a reduction in global cereal output in 2009 from the 2008 record, according to FAO's latest Crop Prospects and Food Situation report. Smaller plantings and adverse weather look likely to bring grain production down in most of the world's major producers. While conditions are generally favourable for winter wheat throughout Europe and the United States, planted area in these countries has declined, reflecting the prospect of sharply reduced returns compared to last year, combined with persisting high input costs, the report said.

World Food Day stresses climate change and bioenergy effects on poor

Thu, 16 Oct 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Climate change and bioenergy are the focus of this year’s World Food Day activities, expected to involve over 150 countries. FAO celebrates World Food Day each year on 16 October, the day on which the Organization was founded in 1945.

Reviewing biofuel policies and subsidies

Tue, 07 Oct 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Biofuel policies and subsidies should be urgently reviewed in order to preserve the goal of world food security, protect poor farmers, promote broad-based rural development and ensure environmental sustainability, FAO said today in a new edition of its annual flagship publication The State of Food and Agriculture (SOFA) 2008.

Agricultural commodity prices expected to remain high

Wed, 28 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Agricultural commodity prices should ease from their recent record peaks but over the next 10 years they are expected to average well above their mean levels of the past decade, according to the latest Agricultural Outlook from OECD and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

Food prices remain high despite higher output

Wed, 21 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

High food prices have particularly hit vulnerable populations in many countries that spend a substantial part of their income on food, according to a report released today by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

Large-scale biofuel production may increase marginalization of women

Sun, 20 Apr 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Rapid increases in the large-scale production of liquid biofuels in developing countries could exacerbate the marginalization of women in rural areas threatening their livelihoods, according to a new FAO study.