China is the second largest energy consumer in the world consuming 1.7 billion tons of oil equivalent in 2006 or 15.6 % of the World consumption (BP, 2007). Considering that China has a population of 1.3 billion people this represents rather a small per capita energy use. Despite the fact that 96% of the population is connected to the grid, 700 million people in rural areas are still using forest biomass and agricultural residues to meet nearly 90% of their energy needs; particularly in Southwestern China which continues to be one of China¡¯s poorest regions.

 

From 17th through 22nd May 2008, the Centre for Mountain Ecosystem Studies organized International workshop on Forest based Bioenergy for Sustainable Development. The workshop brings together researcher partners in the targeted research themes from The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in South Africa, Winrock International India, University of Newcastle, Johanneum Research, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, UNIQUE forestry consultants East Africa, Kunming Institute of Botany and Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanic Garden of Chinese Academy of Sciences.

 

In India and South Africa the focus of the case studies is on Jatropha. In Uganda the sustainability of large scale forest based combined heat and power production is assessed. In China village, household and land-use surveys are currently conducted in Yunnan to better understand the rural bioenergy demand and supply side in Southwestern China.

 

In the workshop first research results is shared and discussed. In addition, it contributes to define 3 themes that allow the sharing of specific research interests on:

 

¡¤Water resource use modeling

¡¤Jatropha development

¡¤Land use and rural energy related carbon fluxes