EVENT: Panel discussion on bioenergy issues

Increased demand for feedstocks to meet Australia's biofuels goals include many uncertainties such as what types of feedstocks will be used, at what prices, grown where, and with what implications for greenhouse gases and sustainability?

Adjustments in the agricultural sector to this increased demand will continue for many years as interest grows in renewable sources of energy to lessen dependence on foreign oil. As a consequence of these commodity market impacts, farm income, government payments, and food prices also change.

Global biofuel production has tripled from 4.8 billion gallons in 2000 to about 16.0 billion in 2007, but still accounts for less than 3 percent of the global transportation fuel supply. About 90 percent of production is concentrated in the United States, Brazil, and the European Union (EU). Production could become more dispersed if development programs in other countries, such as Malaysia and China, are successful.

What new technological developments can we expect?

Come and join our panellists in discussing your expectations and concerns with bioenergy and relax with some drinks and nibbles after 5pm onwards. All welcome!