Can the World Bioenergy Association Save Biofuels?

Bioenergy, once a green energy darling, has been burned by concerns over food prices, environmental cost/benefit debates, and probably a little scapegoating. Although breakthroughs of all kinds have put this technology on the cusp, we're still really just learning how to do biomass sustainably and efficiently. And it's not helping that no shared standards exist for growing or production of biofuels and other products.

As blogged on Matter in March, several groups have proposed their own standards, but a new effort may have the buy-in from the right players to put biomass back in the good graces of the eco-sphere.

At the recently concluded World Bioenergy conference in Sweden, delegates launched the World Bioenergy Association, designed to confront and solve some of the stickiest issues in this emerging market. A major initiative of the WBA is to help develop certification systems to "ensure that the fuels are produced in an environmentally friendly and sustainable way, and under acceptable working and social conditions." The organization will also promote trade, biofuels standardization, and continuing research and development.

Says Chair of the WBA Kent Nystroem, "Bioenergy use can and should be increased in a sustainable way in light of high prices of fossil fuels and their environmental impact on the climate, and by representing bioenergy producers worldwide, WBA can help."

To me, this sounds like the right thing at the right time. Until we have a common set of rules that will ensure protection of the environment,bioenergy will always be in danger of doing more harm than good.