4th International Conference on Biomass Energy
Date: September 22-24, 2008
Place: Kiev, Ukraine
Read more: Conference Link

One of the organizers, REA, is INFORSE-Europe member.
From INFORSE-Europe participated:
- Andrei Konechenkov, REA, member of the INFORSE-Europe Board
- Gunnar Boye Olesen INFORSE-Europe Coordinator/OVE Denmark

A Proposal for EU-Ukraine Cooperation was presented:
INFORSE-Europe has proposed a number of issues that should be addressed in the EU-Ukraine cooperation on energy with Bankwatch Network, WWF, and Ukraine Wind Energy Association.
So far the EU-Ukraine energy cooperation has focused on nuclear energy and fossil fuels. If the cooperation is going to contribute to improving the environmental situation in Ukraine as well as its energy independence and employment, the focus must change such that energy efficiency and renewable energy receive top priority.
The EU-Ukraine energy cooperation has an unusually large budget in the EU neighbourhood program; for 2007 it was 87 mill. Eur, so it is important to focus on deriving the greatest possible benefit of it.

The major parts of our proposal are that:
- Ukraine adhere to the Ecodesign and Energy Performance of Buildings Directives.
- Ukraine back building regulations with funding (loans and grants) for renovation of buildings and with initiatives for public buildings.
- Ukraine increase energy efficiency in heat supplies and in industries.
- Ukraine reform energy prices to avoid subsidies and promote energy conservation.
- Ukraine implement its newly adopted green tariff for renewable energy in a way that truly enables the development of renewable energy.
- the Ukrainian public be given unbiased and effective information on energy efficiency and renewable energy.

Read more on the EU neighbourhood program at the INFORSE-Europe web site: http://www.inforse.org/europe/EU-neighbours.htm