Macro effects of agrofuel production in Indonesia; a learning network

Commercialised production of palm oil, soy, sugar cane for biofuels is expanding enormously in the search of alternatives to fossil fuel. The consequences of large-scale production are felt at two impact levels. Elements of sustainability, such as conservation of soil quality and biodiversity, the local social impacts and a clean production and processing of the biomass play a part at production level. At this level the first responsibility for sustainable biomass production lies with the businesses in question themselves. But some effects can only be assessed well at the macro level and then they are primarily a responsibility of authorities. These are often effects that cannot be directly attributed to one company, but are only visible on a national or regional scale. This project is about the identification of the macro effects of agrofuel production and the role CSOs can play in policy development that evades and mitigates negative macro effects of agrofuel production. The current project focuses on the enhancement of a knowledge- and learning network in Indonesia. This project is designed to learn build the knowledge network on agrofuels in general and on macro effects specifically. The project will increase awareness of local / regional and global macro effects of agrofuel production, it will identify threats and opportunities for agrofuel production and will ultimately lead to more efficient, sustainable and fair policies at local, regional and global level.