Biomass Asia Workshop (1st, 2nd&3rd WS)
（Third WS: Tokyo/Tsukuba, 15-16 November 2006）
（Third WS: Tokyo/Tsukuba, 15-16 November 2006）
1.Significance of biomass application and technology development
- Rapid economic development and the large population in Asian countries will lead to increases in energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
- We are in need of countermeasures against global warming due to the mass consumption of fossil fuels. We must establish renewable-, distributed-energy systems that can be optimized for diversified regions and can activate rural communities.
- The majority of Asian countries have abundant biomass resources, and in most of the developing countries of the region, biomass energy contributes significantly to the energy supply.
- Since biomass relates to carbon-neutral and renewable resource, we can reduce greenhouse gas emissions, contribute to energy security and build a sustainable/recycling society by replacing fossil-based energy/products with biomass-based energy/products and to create new sustainable industrial systems.
(Key words: Sustainability, Renewability and carbon neutrality,
Asian sustainable industry and recycling society)
Asian sustainable industry and recycling society)
2. Understandings that were confirmed/emphasized at the first Workshop (Tokyo/Tsukuba in January 2005) , the Second Workshop (Bangkok in December 2005) and the third Workshop(Tokyo/Tsukuba in November 2006)
- Common understanding of the importance of potential biomass applications and their favorable impact on the environment and society (contributing to global environment, energy security and sustainable economic growth) and of the importance of ①sustainable resource availability, ②sustainable technologies/system (biomass application/management) and ③sustainable development of local community/economy in globalizing economy (including social cohesion and acceptance),
- Necessity of networking within and among organizations/experts that are related to efficient biomass applications including both at R＆D and demonstration/commercialization levels and policy formulation, and necessity of exchanging and sharing relevant good practices/expertise/information,
- Necessity of developing and disseminating optimal technologies to secure and utilize sustainable biomass resources to meet multiple needs and of establishing regional communities and maintaining social infrastructure required to introduce, promote and commercialize biomass utilization technologies, particularly in developing countries,
- Importance of inter-disciplinary collaboration/management among relevant stakeholders (e.g. agriculture, forestry, energy, rural development, industrial use, policy-makers and R&D experts), with particular attention to effective and sustainable resource management and transfer of technologies and know-how to developing countries (including effective use and application of CDM). This can promote environmentally sustainable development in the energy/ agricultural/forestry/fishery and other industrial sectors, vitalize regional communities (local economies) and can encourage more biomass utilization in developing countries which have big potential for biomass use in priority for energy security and environmental protection, and
- Necessity and importance of collaborative R&D through complementary partnerships and of overcoming market/socio-economic constraints (e.g. human capacity, management/governance and policy initiatives, high capital costs/market mechanism/incentives, creation of sustainable industry, linkage with local community/society, public acceptance/awareness).
3. Future directions on Biomass Asia for sustainable growth; the following points were recognized as significant in addition to the above-mentioned ones.
3.1. Promoting efficient and sustainable technologies and systems of biomass applications
- R&D for the practical application of biomass
a)environmentally friendly technology for sustainable use e.g. utilization of agricultural/forestry wastes, development of both woody and non-woody biomass crops, BTLG (Biomass to Liquid/Gas) and renewable energy/fuel (e.g. Bio-diesel fuel, Bio-ethanol) and other environmental/energy technologies (e.g. Palm Oil and Energy Complex/ Sugar and Rice Energy Complex/Wood Refinery Complex) b)sustainable resource availability and global warming preventione.g. sustainable agricultural/forestry production with biodiversity, mass production systems for biomass industry, sustainable biomass production/harvesting, effective conversion of woody biomass, environmental recovery/improvement
c)Life Cycle Assessment
e.g. assessment on total collection/production/utilization system - Standardization of effective application of biomass technologies and Multi-Assessment for sustainability (i.e. Low energy consumption, environmental load reduction and economic efficiency (e.g. relevant efficient manufacturing process and materials, technical and commercial viability) , practical evaluation of biomass characteristics including standardization of analytical methods and of available amounts of biomass and standardization of estimation and environmental assessment, stabilization of biomass and related materials in global market, and consideration of regional and global environment)
- Adequate intellectual property management aimed at encouragement of industrialization of biomass utilizationn
3.2. Complementary R&D collaboration and partnerships in Asia
- Establishment of trans-organizational co-operation system, multi-level network and multi-disciplinary management and applicable approaches based on common concepts shared by the member countries
- Reinforcement of public private partnership (public research organization/academia-industry-government), industry involvement (necessity of the scenario to attract industry including policy initiatives), human resources management and personnel/expert exchange
- Needs for policy development to accelerate technology development, international collaboration and commercialization
3.3. Action plans for biomass utilization in Asia
- Sharing good practices in appropriate biomass applications for each region
(various experimental projects/models, networking, priority setting, sense of urgency and policy development) - Multi- or bi-lateral complementary R&D collaboration and its application, relevant multi-disciplinary management and policy measures/development (Sustainable available biomass production and resource management taking into account impacts on natural and societal environment, sustainable technology development/system and application, public and private partnership relating to agriculture, forestry and industrial/energy use)
Policy initiatives: particularly promoting “International complementary R&D collaboration” and “Human resource development/training and Networking (national contact points- network for HRD)” - Continuing/Following-up Biomass Asia workshop and promoting the network/partnership (networking, good practice learning, information/data base, promoting R&D collaboration, policy initiatives)
- Biomass Asia Website (including the contact e-mail address of participant organizations)
- Initiatives by the Host country organization and Secretary/Bureau f unction The 4th Biomass Asia Workshop: The representative of Malaysia indicated the possibility to host next 4th Biomass Asia Workshop in Malaysia (probably in October (or November) in 2007). The host organizers of the1st, 2nd & 3rd WS (Japan and Thailand) will assist in organizing the 4th Biomass Asia Workshop.
- Work on the draft Future Action Plan (including facilitation of sustainable industry/trade, harmonization of standards)
- Collaboration with the on-going Asian networks (including the ACMECS economic co-operation schemes)
- Promoting personal exchange/fellowship programs
(Multi-disciplinary Technical and Post-doctoral Training and Education)
Contact： Dr. Osamu Yamada (AIST)
E-mail：baws@m.aist.go.jp
E-mail：baws@m.aist.go.jp