UNICA @Rio+20, be ready to commit!

Géraldine Kutas — posted 19/06/2012

The day we have all been waiting for has come.  

Over the last few months, governments have been working on a document that needs signatures of more than 130 international leaders coming to Rio from all over the world.

Keeping in line with the level of ambition associated with the summit the paper is called “The Future We Want”. It is meant to commit its signatories to do their best to put the world on a more sustainable development path and ultimately a green economy.

But just how much agreement governments reach should not be the only measure of success for Rio+20. At Rio, private sector and NGOs will be working in partnership across platforms to chart a path towards a more sustainable use of resources. Our commitment to each other is just as real and as binding. I’m excited that UNICA will be part of this historic moment, and we hope that what’ve learnt is a good blueprint for others.

I have previously talked on this blog about the future that UNICA wants and the urgency to take action and act responsibly.

In a world of rising energy demand, decreasing traditional energy supplies and a rapidly growing population, renewable energies are essential. And because the Brazilian experience shows that they can be an engine for economic growth there is even more good reason to hear us out. Times are tough for everyone, but if you can open up market opportunities, grow GDP and satisfy consumer demand for clean fuels, there is a solid business case.

We’ve been preparing for Rio+20 for some time now because we see an opportunity, economic as much as environmental. We have also been actively telling our story,  and with great authority, through the “Dialogues for Sustainable Development”, a UN platform for civil society participation in official discussions that has given an outstanding support to all our energy proposals. And for those of you here in Rio or those who’ll be following us from far, we plan to continue showing our commitment to a green economy and engaging with our stakeholders at a number of events this week:

On June 18^th, UNICA talked about the potential of sustainable bio-energy at an event organised by the Global Bioenergy Partnership (GBEP).

On June 19^th, UNICA will give a speech at the ICTSD Trade and Sustainable Development Symposium called “Enabling Climate Mitigation, Fostering Low-Carbon Growth”.

On June 20^th, UNICA will take part in the World Green Summit.

On the 21^st, we will venture into the Bioeconomy debate alongside Novozymes and Electrobras.

And we will round off our busy Rio schedule on June 22^nd with a presentation on the opportunities and challenges for bioenergy in Brazil at a conference organised by the CNA.

Sound busy? It’s not all.

A few days ago, we unveiled our latest contribution to understanding the potential of Brazilian sugarcane. We have launched an interactive digital tool that tells the story of our industry, provides timely information about market developments, and gives an overview of prospects and future uses of sugarcane ethanol. And it’s good fun to use it.  You can also download the app on your mobile devices and connect to our facebook page.

As you all see, much of the action in Rio+20 will not just take place at the negotiating table. We invite you to follow the debate and take part in the conversation.

We hope that this conference will mark the beginning of the future we all want.

The future we want

Géraldine Kutas — posted 22/04/2012

Today is Earth Day.

And this year we have a number of reasons to celebrate it. Perhaps the most significant one is the chance to build the future we want.

In June, the world will see Brazil hosting the largest forum ever in the history of the United Nations: Rio+20. The UN Conference on Sustainable Development represents a historic opportunity to define pathways to a more sustainable future. World leaders, along with thousands of participants from the private sector, NGOs and other groups, will come together to shape a more sustainable world where economic growth, poverty reduction, social equity and environmental protection go hand-in-hand.

The fact is that by 2050, our planet will be a home to nine billion people. Nine billion people who will need to feed themselves and power their lives. In a world of rising energy demand, decreasing traditional fossil energy supplies and growing concerns about climate change, we all urgently need to act.

At Rio+20, the international community will seek ways to make theoretical solutions become reality. Many of those solutions already exist; the goal is to scale them up, share best practice. And here is where we at UNICA have something to say.

At a time when most countries around the world are searching for clean, commercially viable, renewable options, sugarcane has proved to be a successful alternative to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Brazil while diversifying energy supplies and reducing our dependence on oil.

In the last decade alone, sugarcane has been the centrepiece of Brazil’s renewable energy expansion strategy, and this gives Brazil a leading role in the search for low-carbon solutions to climate change, while promoting economic growth.

All this is largely possible because of sugarcane’s unique versatility. Just look at sugarcane derived ethanol – it is an affordable transportation fuel that, compared to gasoline, reduces C0₂ emissions by an average of 90 percent, and diminishes local air pollution and harmful emissions. Brazil replaced almost half of its gasoline consumption with ethanol, using just 1.4% of its arable land.

Bioelectricity is another great asset. Clean electricity generated from the stalks and straw of sugarcane (bagasse) has a lower environmental impact than fossil fuel thermoelectric plants or large hydroelectric power stations.

Sugarcane has the potential to help reshape the world energy markets, as high-tech innovation is unlocking many other uses of this plant that go beyond food, ethanol and bioelectricity, such as bioplastics, biohydrocarbons and biochemicals.

The Brazilian experience represents a successful example of what happens when private sector innovation and know-how and supportive policy go hand-in-hand. I am glad that industry will play a greater role at Rio+20, especially in helping demonstrate that many of the smart solutions we need to fight climate change already exist. We just need our governments to put in place incentive structures and enable the environment required for those solutions to grow in scale. Rio+20 gives Brazil the opportunity to lead by example – we hope that our unique journey can be a useful one for others.

The future we want is not just a mere ‘wish list’. The future we want is reflected every day through actions and decisions. We need energy to power our lives and our economies. But we no longer have to rely on fossil fuels – today we have a choice that allows us to tread lightly on the environment. On a day like today, I/we give our governments a vote of confidence and hope Rio+20 marks the difference between ‘what we say’ and ‘what we do’.

Shouldn’t every day be Earth Day?

Moving the Brazil-US Energy Cooperation a step closer

Leticia Phillips — posted 05/04/2012

As I write this, my Brazilian and American colleagues from government and private sector are working around the clock to ensure that President Dilma Rousseff’s trip to Washington D.C. on this upcoming Monday is a great success. Success for Brazil and success for the U.S.  And because this is the President’s first trip to the U.S. in her current post it makes it all the more important.  I am particularly glad that this meeting takes place at a time when the ethanol import tariff is an issue of the past.  So, we can strike that item off the agenda once and for all.

Those who follow us closely will know that as of the end of 2011 Brazil and the U.S. have zeroed their import tariffs on ethanol, creating a truly free and impressively large market for sugarcane derived biofuel. We and many others see this as a big milestone in time. If you add the Strategic Energy Dialogue to this you’ve got continued political commitment on the U.S. part. And if you add President Dilma’s and President Obama’s announcement of the expansion of the MoU on biofuels to include cooperation in aviation in March last year, you’ve got nothing short of a new era in energy cooperation between our two great nations.

We’ve passed some major hurdles, that’s for sure. We should now focus on finding ways to help create a global market for ethanol. This is my hope for the meeting next week. I strongly believe our governments are moving in the right direction on the MoU and on the Strategic Energy Dialogue. But I also believe we’d have more and faster impact if the private sectors in both countries are actively engaged in these processes. We’re hopeful that our government will call on us. Our capacity to bring new ideas to the table and our desire to innovate and invest can help make this political cooperation a reality for businesses and for consumers.

We all recognize that finding renewable, affordable and sustainable solutions to the world’s energy challenges requires a great deal of commitment and a good deal of courage. When Brazil and the U.S. eliminated their import tariffs they sent a clear signal to the global community. But both nation’s commitment and dedication need to be met with open minds and open arms if we want real, positive change for the environment.  Come end of day Monday, we might know what energy deliverables will be announced and what new challenges will be put before us. I am excited to see what the results will be.

Brazil and the U.S. have shown what’s possible when policy is right, when markets are open and when trade and innovation are encouraged. But the challenges we face are complex and they require everyone’s genuine commitment that goes beyond what’s said in policy papers. We need to get things done! The goal here is to move the world away from near complete dependence on fossil fuels. When the ambition is so high, you can safely assume that the gains will be too.

Continuing to spread the Word about Clean Solutions from Sugarcane

Marcos Jank — posted 05/03/2012

When we created sugarcane.org last year, our intent was to continuously provide pertinent information for a growing audience of people who wanted to learn more about different aspects from sugarcane: products, sustainability, benefits, the Brazilian experience, global policies and much more. We wanted to let you know that we have just up-loaded additional information and materials on the website.

Here’s a brief snapshot of the new material we would like to share with you. We hope you find it helpful.

Additional content on sustainability and benefits from sugarcane include:

Interested in the Brazilian sugarcane experience? Here’s some new material we have picked out on this topic:

1 Impact on Brazil’s Economy – The sugarcane industry in Brazil represents an important part in the country’s economy. The sector adds US$50 billion to the country’s GDP and provides  good employment to some 1.28 million workers whose salaries rank among the highest in  Brazil’s agricultural sector.
2 Reduced Emissions – Since the start of Brazil’s ethanol program in 1975, more than 600 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions have been avoided thanks to the use of this clean and renewable fuel.
3 Commitment to sustainability – The Brazilian government’s comprehensive package of environmental policies is a global benchmark and can serve as a model.
4 Fair Pricing – In 1999, an innovative and voluntary sugarcane payment system was set up to help ensure fair and equitable relationships between sugarcane growers and millers.

Lastly, we have also included an overview of sugar policy United States and the European Union under the “Global Policy” section.

We want to keep you informed of the latest developments in the sugarcane industry in the best way possible, so please feel free to send us your suggestions about new content for this website.

Once again thank you for your support and don’t forget to follow us on Twitter for latest news on clean and renewable solutions from sugarcane!

What’s possible when people have choice?

Géraldine Kutas — posted 26/01/2012

A lot. And the Americans will be the first to tell us.

After more than three decades, the U.S. government lifted its tariff on ethanol giving the American public greater access to and an increase in environmental benefits starting in 2012. This is clearly a significant step forward, but I can’t help but think that we are missing out here in Europe?

Europe has set an ambitious environmental target in its 2020 energy legislation yet it simultaneously discriminates against a commercially viable renewable fuel that enables us to reach those same targets. Does anyone else see this paradox?

I know – and EU decision makers know too – that sugarcane ethanol reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 90 percent on average compared to ordinary fossil fuels, making it the best carbon performing biofuel produced today on a commercial scale. Since free trade is, in fact, a two way street, I should highlight that in 2010, Brazil eliminated its ethanol import tariff, undeniably increasing Brazil’s energy security. Today, Brazil hopes to encourage other countries around the world to do the same and develop free markets for clean, renewable fuels such as ethanol. I commend the United States for finally letting their import tariff expire – now I urge European citizens to make note of what European legislators owe them. To be fair, Europe isn’t alone. Big economies like China and Japan also impose an import tariff on ethanol.

Trade barriers can deprive Europeans of access to the many benefits of sugarcane ethanol. We wholeheartedly support and guarantee sustainability in the Brazilian ethanol production. Since the approval of the Bonsucro sustainability standards by the EU in July 2011, 12 mills were successfully certified within 6 months under that scheme. That’s commitment. But EU’s sustainability criteria, can act as non-tariff barriers, and their potential to limit trade in biofuels is significant.

So, what I think European consumers are missing here is choice. The choice to:

…increase relative independence on fossil fuels

…choose to power cars with a clean and renewable fuel

…cope better with high fuel prices

And ultimately to play an important role in meeting ambitious environmental targets decision makers have promised them.

It is urgent to act.

I know this won’t happen overnight, import tariffs create distortions and distortions take time to correct. But my hope for this year is that we start questioning their true merit!

We have a busy year ahead, let’s get to work and you’ll hear from me again in the coming months.