Gerard Ostheimer

The Paris Agreement and Sustainable Development Goals invigorated stakeholders across the "policy-to-action" spectrum to aggressively push solutions for creating a sustainable, equitable low carbon emissions economy.

In this talk, Ostheimer will describe the evolution of the bioeconomy policy space emphasizing the role of international agencies, like the International Energy Agency, International Renewable Energy Agency and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN. He will describe the challenges to helping diverse stakeholders realize the potential benefits of producing and use fuels, chemicals and materials derived from biomass.

Ostheimer will present a holistic vision whereby Climate Smart Agriculture, Improved Landscape Management, Responsible Investment and Aggressive Low Carbon Fuels policy entwine to yield a global industry that brings green jobs and growth to both developed and developing countries. The discussion will address the challenges to achieving this vision, including the need to bridge the communication gap between the Agriculture and Energy Sectors and the need to optimize productive collaboration across the "policy-to-action" spectrum.

Gerard Ostheimer serves as the Bioenergy Lead for Sustainable Energy for All. Working with diverse international partners, like the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, International Energy Agency and the International Renewable Energy Agency, he promotes the development and deployment of sustainable bioenergy.In collaboration with the World Business Council for Sustainable Development Ostheimer co-founded below50, which works to deploy the world’s most sustainable Low Carbon Fuels. He now serves as a Senior Advisor for the below50 campaign. Ostheimer has a PhD in Molecular Biology from the University of Oregon and did his postdoctoral work in Cancer Systems Biology at MIT.

Light refreshments will be provided.