Moratorium in Biofuel Development Projects in Tanzania: The Need for Policies, Guidelines and Sustainability Criteria

Abstract

Three main assumptions have influenced bioenergy development globally, namely that: (i) bioenergy is a cheap and renewable alternative source of energy; (ii) bioenergy can reduce carbon emissions to the atmosphere; and (iii) bioenergy offers new opportunities to farmers in developing countries to reduce poverty and improve livelihoods. The third assumption has found sympathetic ears in Africa and has influenced development of several bioenergy programmes and experiments. It is assumed that alongside other benefits, bioenergy development will bring benefits to African farmers and improve their livelihoods, increase their revenues and, eventually, also enable them to reduce poverty. However, the development of bioenergy globally, and in Tanzania in particular, has raised more questions and concerns than the solutions it was supposed to provide. Tanzania is entering into this energy production process amidst increased demand in Europe, America and China for more bioenergy products, while there are few safeguard policies and institutional framework to guide the process. If this trend is left unguided it will result in negative impacts to local communities, the economy, the environment; and the overall food security will be jeopardized. This article calls for a moratorium on the development of bioenergy projects in order to take time to develop appropriate legal and institutional framework and safeguard policies for sustainable development of bioenergy industry in Tanzania.