Global biofuels alliance takes center stage in energy transition

Special Ministerial Consultations & Recommendations on Global Biofuels Alliance.

Energy Transitions Ministerial Meeting in Goa highlights Fuels for Future (3F) as a priority area. On the sidelines, a standalone event on Consultations and Recommendations for the Global Biofuels Alliance witnessed strong support from countries within and beyond the G20. Thirteen Energy Ministers and nine International Organisations participated, welcoming the initiative to advance biofuels through a collaborative global alliance.

The Energy Transitions Ministerial Meeting held in Goa underscored the importance of Fuels for Future (3F) as a priority area. Concurrently, a significant standalone event focusing on Consultations and Recommendations for the Global Biofuels Alliance was organised, garnering substantial support from both G20 member countries and other nations. With nineteen countries expressing their interest in becoming initiating members, and fifteen countries and nine international organisations attending the event, the development and deployment of biofuels witnessed a momentous step forward through this multi-stakeholder alliance.

Prominent Energy Ministers from India, Argentina, Bangladesh, Brasil, Canada, Italy, Kenya, Mauritius, Paraguay, Seychelles, the United States, UAE, and Uganda, along with leaders of international organisations like the Biofuture Platform, International Civil Aviation Organisation, International Energy Agency, International Energy Forum, International Renewable Energy Agency, World Bank, World Biogas Association, and World Economic Forum actively welcomed the initiative.

Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas & Urban and Housing Affairs, Shri Hardeep Singh Puri, stressed the significance of biofuels and collaboration, emphasising the need for making the Global Biofuels Alliance a collective effort of the people. Other ministers from various countries also acknowledged the appeal of biofuels as a low-carbon pathway while recognising the importance of engaging in clean energy initiatives. Despite the vast potential of biofuels, several challenges hinder their adoption, which calls for a collaborative approach to address feedstock management, standards development, and technological innovations.

The consultative process culminated in the Energy Ministers’ recommendation to establish the Global Biofuels Alliance to the G20 Leaders. The alliance aims to unlock the extensive potential of biofuels across nations through shared best practices, standardisation, waste recycling, and strategic investments to address the untapped potential.

The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) highlighted the need for over 600 billion liters of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) and a USD 3 trillion investment by 2050 to replace all fossil fuels. This underscores the necessity of close collaboration among stakeholders.

With just 2percentage of waste currently being recycled, the World Biogas Association emphasised the urgency to recycle waste into consumable products to reduce methane emissions. International Organisations expressed their support and readiness to assist the alliance in achieving its goals.

In summary, the Global Biofuels Alliance stands as a key priority area in the energy transition, with the Energy Ministers’ recommendation poised to pave the way for its establishment and collective progress towards a sustainable and biofuel-powered future.