Established in 2008, PANGEA promotes sustainable African bioenergy investment, policies, and production. As an organisation, we fulfil two roles: membership association and developmental campaigner. Firstly, we act as a unified voice for our diverse membership of European and African bioenergy companies; working to establish an enabling policy environment through lobbying, research, and regular events. Members benefit from our first-rate consultancy experience, extensive contacts network, and events management expertise; while knowing that their interests are well represented at an EU-level. As the world’s boundless enthusiasm for biofuels has begun to be tempered by reservations about their environmentally and social sustainability, our attention has also increasingly been directed at improving the sustainability and equitability of the EU’s involvement in the sector. Rather than unfairly condemning an entire industry, we work to attack the root causes; thereby preserving a uniquely valuable opportunity for both African and European citizens. We support this by promoting bioenergy’s potential in other areas – such as electrifying rural areas through micro- and off-grid generation, or effectively fuelling modern clean cook stoves – which can greatly enhance the quality of life in Africa’s rural communities.
Main Achievements to Date
2008
June: Official launch and presentation of PANGEA to 87th Session of the ACP Council of Ministers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
December: Development of in-depth policy review of the then-draft of the EU Renewable Energy Directive and presented to the LDC Sugar Group of the ACP Secretariat, African Caribbean Pacific (ACP) Secretariat and The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) Secretariat.
2009
January: PANGEA releases first report looking at potential for African ethanol exports into Europe.
June: PANGEA organises largest biofuels conference in Africa to date in Addis Ababa with more than 250 attendees, opened by the Prime Minister Meles Zenawi.
October: PANGEA launches workshop series looking at EU and US aid programs and their relationship with biofuel.
2010
January: Focus shifts to further promoting sustainability and launches the “sustainability triangle” that puts responsibility for sustainability on governments, private sector and communities alike.
Spring: Work begins on trying to formulate concepts and business models that could be successful in regional markets, bringing bioenergy development back to the local level and away from just exports.
All year: PANGEA launches workshop series looking at “Trade, Not Aid” but a focus on what Brazil and India are doing in African bioenergy.
2011
April: PANGEA hosts first event inside the European Parliament, with a focus on cleancook stoves, leading to a major shift in the organisation to put more focus on household renewable energy access.
Q3-Q4: PANGEA participates in the consortium working to develop the African Development Bank’s five year energy strategy, hoping to ensure more and better access for clean household energy and off-grid solutions (but sadly fails).
2012
April: PANGEA launches new website with new, enhanced members only website and services, as well as opportunities for technology partners and donors to participate.
