Forest and Energy

Created on 21 Aug 2008 by Patinya Kanthatham

energy plays a central role in the world economy and changes in energy costs have

significant effects on economic growth, especially in oil importing developing

countries. currently, a major shift is underway in the sources from which energy

is expected to be derived in coming years. the changes result from three primary

concerns:

• high fossil fuel prices;

• perceived risks of fossil fuel dependence;

• increasing greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels.

bioenergy offers the opportunity of reducing carbon dioxide emissions per unit

energy production, reducing dependence on energy imports and, together with otheralternative fuels, creating a cap on soaring oil prices. depending on the effectiveness of policy and institutional frameworks, there is also an opportunity for countries to promote sustainable national and rural development through bioenergy expansion.

additionally, many countries have large forested areas, which if sustainably managed can produce large quantities of renewable fuels. a number of countries already have policies in place to encourage the use of wood for energy production.

Full publication

ftp://ftp.fao.org/docrep/fao/010/i0139e/i0139e00.pdf