The U.S. Grains Council (USGC) sponsored the Global Bioenergy Partnership’s (GBEP’s) Bioenergy Week in Rome, Italy last week where international biofuel stakeholders and policymakers recognized the efficiency and sustainability practices of biofuel production and growth opportunities in Europe and beyond.
The 11th annual event was organized by the United Nations (UN) Food and Agriculture Organization and featured presentations and meetings in the pursuit of lowering global carbon emissions through bioenergy. USGC Director of Global Ethanol Export Development Mackenzie Boubin and USGC Manager of Ethanol Policy and Sustainability Linda Schmid were in attendance to represent the Council and the U.S. ethanol industry.
“This is one of the biggest events on the calendar for the biofuels industry and the Council is proud to have helped make it happen,” Schmid said. “Reducing greenhouse gas emissions is a global problem and it will take a global effort to meet that challenge.”
Prior to the event, Boubin and Schmid met with Ellen Luger, minister counselor for agriculture at the U.S. Mission to the UN and spoke with staff at the Italian Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security to focus attention on the benefits of increased ethanol blending rates.
Each day of the conference was centered around a different opportunity or challenge in the industry. The first focused on the role of youth in the climate movement and how the next generation will continue the battle against climate change. Ensuing days highlighted the intersection of science and public policy formulation. Attendees examined bioenergy in the agricultural supply chain and recognized biofuels as a sustainable solution for decarbonization at large scales.
The overarching topic for the fourth day of the agenda was bioenergy’s potential in climate change mitigation and global energy access. Boubin delivered a keynote speech on ethanol’s compatibility with existing technologies.
As a culmination of the week’s activities, the UN released a joint statement on bioenergy’s impact on global climate goals, which is available to read here.
About The U.S. Grains Council
The U.S. Grains Council develops export markets for U.S. barley, corn, sorghum and related products including distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS) and ethanol. With full-time presence in 28 locations, the Council operates programs in more than 50 countries and the European Union. The Council believes exports are vital to global economic development and to U.S. agriculture’s profitability. Detailed information about the Council and its programs is online at www.grains.org.