SIWI SEMINAR - Water-Related Synergies and Trade-Offs - Food and Bioenergy

Sunday 17 August
Morning Seminar

Convenors: Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI), Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI), Chalmers University of
Technology, Sweden and IEA Bioenergy Task 30

Parallel global trends – population and economic growth, increasing energy demands, changing diets, etc., increase the pressure on water resources through several drivers. For instance, an increased demand for water intensive food products (e.g. animal based foods) is linked to an increase of middle-class populations in many parts of the world. Commitments to reduce poverty and alleviate hunger are also a component in the overall pressure on water and other natural resources. Another noticeable driver is the efforts to mitigate and adapt to climate change. To reduce the dependency on fossil sources of energy a growing demand for biomass and, thus, water and land resources are natural.

Increasing water requirements – whether green or blue – may generate serious conflicts of interest with other societal and ecological water needs. But it is important to also identify opportunities. Increased agricultural production for food and bioenergy represents new sources of income for rural farmers and a stimulus to the rural sector all over the world. However, these opportunities must take into account biophysical realities and new technical and agronomic options. For instance, the evolution of the second generation of bioethanol, makes the use of a wider range of feed stocks possible. Cellulose and biomass from wastelands can be used but it is also conceivable that croplands may be converted for bioenergy purposes.

With growing competition for scarce water resources and considering environmental concerns and objectives, it is crucial to identify and promote promising water and land use strategies. Similarly, it is essential to avoid practices that are detrimental to long term development.

The seminar seeks to clarify and assess options for striking trade-offs and exploring synergies between competing land and water demands against minimum ecosystem and resilience-building water requirements. To navigate conflicts and find synergies, a holistic approach is necessary.

Seminar Programme           09:00-13:20, Room K21

Presentation from the event

Please scroll down and find the link from the programme