As part of efforts to cut greenhouse gas emissions and thus mitigate climate change, the use of bioenergy is gathering pace around the world. Countries’ desire to become less energy-dependent in the face of rising petroleum prices, as well as innovations in technology, are further speeding up the adoption of alternatives to fossil fuels.

A session at the 18th UN Climate Change Conference in Doha last December brought together bioenergy experts to discuss trends and best practices in bioenergy development. Ravi Prabhu, Deputy Director-General for Research at the World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF), said the bioenergy discussion must extend to finding models that are pro-poor and that foster sustainable development, particularly in rural areas. Read more. . .