The undeniable consequences of climate change are becoming more and more alarming, and political leaders all over the world are now hard-pressed to take impactful action. In this political scenario, Biofuels are an emerging possibility that is garnering attention from important stakeholders. The latest G20 summit organized in Delhi saw what could possibly be a key turning point in the way we use energy. The Global Biofuel Alliance (GBA) is one of the most significant events that took place in G20 summits of recent years, it is yet to be seen just exactly how impactful biofuels are at changing the course of the seemingly inevitable environmental ruin we all are rapidly headed towards. While this alliance is a new hope for the upcoming energy crisis and is being celebrated by many there are some experts who don’t have as much of a positive opinion as the majority.
What is Biofuel?
Most of the energy is derived from fossil fuels which are non-renewable and are terrible for the environment, biofuels are considered to be the most viable alternative for the ever-growing global energy needs. Biofuels are generated from organic materials such as plants, algae, or animal waste, thus making them more sustainable and regenerative than fossil fuels. In addition to being a source of renewable energy, it is also accepted and promoted as being highly cost-effective and environmentally friendly. Some of the most well-known and well-used biofuels are Ethanol derived from corn and sugarcane, biodiesel created from liquid animal fat and vegetable oils, Green Diesel derived from plant material such as algae, and biogas sourced from different forms of animal manure and digested materials. Biofuels are found in solid, liquid, and even gaseous forms, and are said to be easier to transport than fossil fuels.
Even though biofuels have taken on a reputation of being highly benign and the most sustainable alternative to non-renewable fossil fuels there are still certain demerits associated with them that need to be urgently addressed. One such major concern is employing vast expanses of fertile lands used for the production of food to be used for biofuels and their impact on the fertility of the land and on food production. The use of water and other natural resources in the production of biofuels is also a cause of speculation. The refining process of biofuels can have a large impact on the economy and the environment as well.
Global Biofuel Alliance
At the latest G20 summit organized in New Delhi, the use of biofuels has been strongly supported by the majority of the G20 countries. This summit has proved to be crucial for the promotion of biofuels with the introduction of the Global Biofuel Alliance. Announced by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 9th September 2023 the alliance is being led by the key countries of India, the United States, and Brazil. These three countries are major players in the biofuel industries, contributing about 85% of the world’s biofuel production and about 8% of Ethanol (a form of biofuel) consumption.
As many as 19 countries and 12 international organisations are joining hands for the adoption of biofuels which is a testament to the rising support for the popularisation of biofuels. Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Italy, South Africa, India, and the USA are the seven major G20 members who strongly support GBA and Bangladesh, UAE, Singapore, and Mauritius are the G20 invitee countries to support this alliance. The eight non-G20 countries to support GBA are Finland, Iceland, Guyana, Kenya, SriLanka, Paraguay, Uganda, and Seychelles.
The following are the 12 significant international organizations that are in support of the Global Biofuel Alliance:
World Bank
Asian Development Bank
World Economic Forum
World LPG Organisation
UN Energy for All
UNIDO
Biofutures Platform
International Civil Aviation Organisation
International Energy Agency
International Energy Forum
International Renewable Energy Agency
World Biogas Association
The purpose of this alliance is to ensure the security of global energy, making energy affordable for the masses, accessibility of alternate sources of energy, ensuring global alliance on the common goal of sustainability in energy consumption, ensuring there is more research on biofuels, ensuring the production of sustainable biofuels, etc. Raising awareness of the impact that fossil fuels have on the environment and how biofuels can replace them successfully with far lesser consequences was the driving force behind the initiative. The alliance shared crucial policy insights for the further progress and integration of biofuels and tried to collectively come up with various aids to drive national biofuel programs.
The alliance also focused on building the capacity of the countries to produce and distribute biofuels more effectively. Reshaping the perception of the major policymakers as well as the civilians of the many countries, boosting the global biofuel trade, promoting best practices, and cost-effective and sustainable handling of the resources also was some of the features of the alliance. Feedstock management for the effective production of biofuels derived from animal waste, making sure there is a stable and predictable supply of eco-fuels, creation of a virtual marketplace for trading biofuels in a cost-effective and transparent way, using technology to smoothen the market flow and the creation and enhancement of demand and supply mapping are some of the things discussed at the summit.
Implications for India
India’s leading role in this alliance will have both political and economic significance. India will now lead the new energy migration and will also lead the adoption of sustainable energy production. Being part of the alliance will lead to increased opportunities for further research and development in this field while ensuring a market for the new innovations that India comes up with. As an emerging power in the global economy, the place of India is further solidified with the help of GBA. If the adoption of biofuel is further solidified then the rise of India as a global economic power is inevitable. India’s biofuel initiatives such as SATAT, PM-JIVAN Yojana, and GOBARdhan Schemes will be seeing more similar schemes and initiatives that further the goal of the creation of effective and scientific alternative sources of energy.
Written by – Sangeeta Behera
Edited by – Khalid Khursheed Muzaffar