After a short, wet and rainy summer, Brussels is slowly coming back to life, but PANGEA took advantage of the down time to plan for the Fall with new events, reports and activities.  

With just a few short months to go before the beginning of the UN's International Year of Sustainable Energy for All, we're brainstorming how best to take advantage of this opportunity to highlight the benefits of renewable energy in Africa. We're in discussion with some big name partners, and we're looking for ideas for more, as well as what kinds of activities to host. If you have any suggestions, please feel free to send them along.

Already, even before September began, the European Parliament snuck back to work and sought to add some pretty unsustainable aspects to the sustainability criteria for biomass and biofuels but we're on top of the issue, working with our partners to make sure that good biofuels are promoted and encouraged while keeping the bad ones at bay. It just goes to show that in Brussels, you have to stay on your toes every minute.

We've also got some very exciting, and perhaps surprising news in store for this newsletter and we're cooking up some even bigger news for our next issue. So make sure to stay tuned, as things are about to get interesting.  

In the meantime, if you're looking to get out of your summer slumber and get back in touch with the industry, why not try one of two events that we'll be presenting at in Amsterdam in October: WRA Biofuels 2001 and the European Forum for Industrial Biotechnology & the Biobased Economy.  

See our website for more details as well as discounts for PANGEA members. It will be great to catch up with you.

Meghan Sapp, Secretary General

The article outlines the importance of using ethanol as fuel for cooking stoves in developing countries, where households traditionally cook with charcoal and kerosene, both very polluting and unhealthy fuels. According to the WHO,
2 million tonnes of traditional biomass are burned every day for cooking. In order to stop this trend, the supply and demand ethanol markets should start considering the potential of hydrous alcohol for household cooking fuel and its benefits for improving health and environmental conditions.

The FO Lichts article is by subscription only but has been made available to PANGEA members via the Members Only website: http://pangealink.org/members-only-2  

PANGEA has grown leaps and bounds over the past three years since its inception--from just an idea to a living, thriving international network--thanks to the hard work and support of so many. As PANGEA moves into the next phase of growth, some new faces will be joining us and others will be moving on to pursue opportunities abroad.

After three years, PANGEA's Programme Director, Ms. Briana Sapp, will be moving back to her native San Francisco on 29 September to further her career in international development and enjoy some much needed sunshine after a combined five years in Brussels.

Taking on her responsibilities, under the new position of Programme Manager, will be  Ms. Annalisa Volse, who has been working with PANGEA for the last year and who has been responsible for such successes as the Africa Biofuels Policy Database and our comprehensive report on the EU's National Renewable Energy Action Plans (NREAPs). She will be the main contact person for PANGEA's headquarters in Brussels, and will give direct support to the Secretary General, Meghan Sapp. Annalisa is certain to do a fantastic job, bringing new ideas and vitality to PANGEA and its partners.    

She will be supported by a new Programme Assistant, Ms. Victoria Borthwick, who has been working with PANGEA as an intern since last February. PANGEA will also be welcoming two new interns this fall, Mr. Christopher Heron and Ms. Sarah Todd, who will be responsible for monitoring EU renewable energy policy and its implications on investment and production in sub-Saharan Africa.

PANGEA has a new Ambassador:  

Mr. Nick Goodall

Mr. Nick Goodall, formerly Chief Executive of the UK's Renewable Fuels Agency, became an Ambassador for PANGEA in July 2011.

In August 2011, Nick was appointed Executive Director at Bonsucro� (formerly the Better Sugarcane Initiative).  

Hart Energy provides specialized data/information products and member-only services to targeted audiences worldwide and ranks among the leading providers of news, data and analysis for the global energy industry. Its core publishing and consulting expertise has been extended to online products (databases, maps) and services (Web sites, market information) as well as industry conferences and exhibitions. Hart Energy clients derive from the energy industry, the financial and investment community, engineering and automotive industries, utilities, leading NGOs and the world's major governments.  

Research and consulting products include multi-client services and electronic member portals, market and analytical studies, tailored single-client consulting, and outreach/educational and training services for the worldwide automotive, refining, and transportation fuels marketplace. Its international team of consultants cumulates over 160 years experience in the energy industry, speaks over 20 different languages and is backed up by an authoritative advisory team of energy and transportation industry professionals.  

WRA Biofuels 2011 Conference 

11-13 October, Amsterdam

Now in its 6th year, BIOFUELS 2011 has established itself in the industry as the event dedicated to providing innovative solutions and debate about key biofuels issues including: sustainability, commercialisation challenges, legislation requirements, bioalcohol and biodiesel production and market analysis. Featuring an expert speaker line up from more than 20 countries across the globe, Biofuels 2011 will report the most recent information, updates and industry developments crucial to your business strategy in 2011 and beyond. Our Secretary General, Meghan Sapp, will be speaking on Biofuels Potential and Opportunities in Africa on the first day of the Conference.     

For more information on the event, please visit: www.wraconferences.com/biofuels-2011 

The European Forum for Industrial Biotechnology & the Biobased Economy (EFIB) Conference  

EFIB is clearly established as the largest conference in Europe for the bio-based market, bringing together business, policy and research and featuring top-level speakers, a comprehensive exhibition and an attendance of over 400 senior decision-makers. The conference brings together the entire value chain of the bio-based economy: from farmers and feedstock producers to producers of innovative bio-based products. Our Secretary General will be also speaking at the event. 

For more information on the event, please visit:

www.efibforum.com/  

 Upcoming Members-Only Report 

Landgrabbing in Africa: Fact, Fiction, Solution

Many media outlets & NGOs have published reports of rampant "landgrabbing", alleging that international investors are taking over prime land in sub-Saharan Africa for biofuels export, leaving communities hungry and landless.

Industry experts say landgrabbing doesn't exist & it is nearly impossible to acquire large tracts of land in Africa due to government & community land laws & practices. Who's right? What's the impact for the biofuels industry?

PANGEA will soon publish a comprehensive report based on balanced data from leading international experts & interviews from biofuels investors and African government officials to discover the truth & find ways to move forward sustainably.  

Public Consultation on Trade

in Developing Countries

The Deadline to take part in the European Commission's Public Consultation on the New Trade and Development Communication developed by DG Trade is 18 September. The Communication will be a roadmap describing how the EU can support developing countries to benefit from international trade, looking to reduce poverty and boost growth.

PANGEA will submit its contribution to ensure that sub-Saharan countries' needs are considered in the new Communication. Any interested stakeholders may also take part in the public consultation.

For more information, please visit http://trade.ec.europa.eu/consultations/?consul_id=156 

Just before the summer break the European Commission approved the first seven sustainability certification schemes for biofuels in the EU. Under the EU Renewable Energy Directive, 10% of all transport fuels in the EU must come from renewable sources by 2020.  

In order to count towards this target, biofuels must achieve a minimum threshold of 35% CO2 emissions savings compared to fossil fuels, which will increase to 60% in 2017. The seven partners that have been chosen by the EC to certify sustainable biofuels include:

1. ISCC (International Sustainability and Carbon Certification)
2. Bonsucro EU -- PANGEA Partner 
3. RTRS EU RED (Round Table on Responsible Soy EU RED)
4. RSB EU RED (Roundtable of Sustainable Biofuels EU RED) -- PANGEA Partner 
5. 2BSvs (Biomass Biofuels voluntary scheme)
6. RSBA (Abengoa RED Bioenergy Sustainability Assurance)
7. Greenergy (Greenergy Brazilian Bioethanol verification programme)

The European Commissioner of Energy, Mr. G�nther Oettinger, stated that the seven partners were chosen using transparent and strictly objective criteria. The seven sustainability certification schemes are valid throughout the EU for all Member States, and more schemes will be examined by the EC in the future.

For more information on the schemes, please visit: 

http://ec.europa.eu/energy/renewables/biofuels/sustainability_schemes_en.htm