Brazil
Thank you Madam Chairperson,
Brazil associates itself with the statement of the G-77.
1. Brazil is willing to discuss both the challenges and opportunities posed by
biofuels in an open, scientifically based and well informed manner. Since biofuels
have a significant contribution to make in achieving sustainable development, the
debate within the mandate of the CSD is more than welcome. We are would like
to reinforce the consensus reached in the High-Level Conference convened by the
FAO last June, that relevant inter-governmental organizations, within their
mandates and areas of expertise, with the involvement of national governments,
partnerships, the private sector, and civil society, should foster a coherent,
effective and results-oriented international dialogue on biofuels in the context of
the world's of food security and sustainable development needs.
2. Brazil is convinced that a new energy paradigm is needed, and that biofuels have
to be a part of it. The world?s current current challenges ? sustainable
development, climate change, the financial and economic crisis, energy and food
price instabilities - should be seen not as obstacles, but as opportunities for this
change. We should bear in mind that while biofuels are a important form of
renewable energy, they have a significant role to play in revitalizing the
agricutural sector.
3. Brazil firmly believes that biofuels should be sustainable in accordance with the
three pillars of sustainable development. Brazil is convinced that the decision to
produce and use biofuels must be an informed and responsible one, and must be
taken in view of the world?s food security, energy and sustainable development
needs. Countries looking to produce biofuels should learn from both the positive
and negative aspects of existing experiences. A successful model cannot be
identically replicated elsewhere without taking into account local realities and
peculiarities.
4. Biofuels are not a one-dimensional energy alternative. They can be associated
with income generation, job creation, rural development, greenhouse gases
emissions reductions, and increased access to energy. They are at the intersection
of several public policies: social, agricultural, economic, environmental, energy
and technological. Therefore, the establishment of a global market for biofuels ?
one that has many producers, as well as consumers - can contribute positively to
address the many global challenges we face. We must be careful that non tariff
barrires do not stifle the development of such a market.
5. The recent food crisis was caused by a series of factors, such as speculative
activity in futures markets, subsidies and protectionist policies of developed
countries, higher fossil fuel prices and increased demand in a scenario of lower
inventories. It is still surprising, however, when biofuels are refered to as one of
the main causes of such a crisis and are made out to be the vilains of the process,
without regard to the benefits they may bring when sustainably produced.
6. Brazil therefore coincides with and reiterates the position of the G77 with regards
to this subject, that the production of biofuels should be sustainable and address
the opportunities and challenges that they represent. We also support the African
group´s views on the need for increased cooperation in this field, including
through South-South cooperation. We hope that both points will be reflected in
the negotiating document to be prepared by the Chair.
Thank you.
Brazil associates itself with the statement of the G-77.
1. Brazil is willing to discuss both the challenges and opportunities posed by
biofuels in an open, scientifically based and well informed manner. Since biofuels
have a significant contribution to make in achieving sustainable development, the
debate within the mandate of the CSD is more than welcome. We are would like
to reinforce the consensus reached in the High-Level Conference convened by the
FAO last June, that relevant inter-governmental organizations, within their
mandates and areas of expertise, with the involvement of national governments,
partnerships, the private sector, and civil society, should foster a coherent,
effective and results-oriented international dialogue on biofuels in the context of
the world's of food security and sustainable development needs.
2. Brazil is convinced that a new energy paradigm is needed, and that biofuels have
to be a part of it. The world?s current current challenges ? sustainable
development, climate change, the financial and economic crisis, energy and food
price instabilities - should be seen not as obstacles, but as opportunities for this
change. We should bear in mind that while biofuels are a important form of
renewable energy, they have a significant role to play in revitalizing the
agricutural sector.
3. Brazil firmly believes that biofuels should be sustainable in accordance with the
three pillars of sustainable development. Brazil is convinced that the decision to
produce and use biofuels must be an informed and responsible one, and must be
taken in view of the world?s food security, energy and sustainable development
needs. Countries looking to produce biofuels should learn from both the positive
and negative aspects of existing experiences. A successful model cannot be
identically replicated elsewhere without taking into account local realities and
peculiarities.
4. Biofuels are not a one-dimensional energy alternative. They can be associated
with income generation, job creation, rural development, greenhouse gases
emissions reductions, and increased access to energy. They are at the intersection
of several public policies: social, agricultural, economic, environmental, energy
and technological. Therefore, the establishment of a global market for biofuels ?
one that has many producers, as well as consumers - can contribute positively to
address the many global challenges we face. We must be careful that non tariff
barrires do not stifle the development of such a market.
5. The recent food crisis was caused by a series of factors, such as speculative
activity in futures markets, subsidies and protectionist policies of developed
countries, higher fossil fuel prices and increased demand in a scenario of lower
inventories. It is still surprising, however, when biofuels are refered to as one of
the main causes of such a crisis and are made out to be the vilains of the process,
without regard to the benefits they may bring when sustainably produced.
6. Brazil therefore coincides with and reiterates the position of the G77 with regards
to this subject, that the production of biofuels should be sustainable and address
the opportunities and challenges that they represent. We also support the African
group´s views on the need for increased cooperation in this field, including
through South-South cooperation. We hope that both points will be reflected in
the negotiating document to be prepared by the Chair.
Thank you.
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