Agencies
On the momentous inaugural day of the G20 New Delhi Leaders’ Summit on September 9, 2023, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Global Biofuel Alliance (GBA) in the presence of prominent leaders from the USA, Brazil, the UAE, Singapore, Italy, Argentina, Bangladesh and Mauritius.
This new collective seeks to accelerate the worldwide adoption of biofuels by promoting technological innovation, enhancing the sustainable use of biofuels, establishing robust standards & certifications, and involving diverse stakeholders.
The GBA will also serve as a central repository of knowledge and an expert hub, playing a pivotal role in catalysing global collaboration to advance and widely embrace biofuel technologies. Positioned on par with the International Solar Alliance, the primary objectives of the Biofuel Alliance encompass expediting the widespread adoption of biofuels, innovating new biofuel technologies, establishing universally acknowledged standards, pinpointing global exemplary practices, and fostering active engagement from the industry.
Remarkably, this “watershed moment” arrives during a month adorned with the significance of three pivotal environmental occasions. The 7th of September heralds the observance of the International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies, a day dedicated to the pursuit of pristine skies and air quality, followed by the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer on the 16th of September, we commemorate the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer, emphasising our commitment to safeguarding this vital shield against harmful radiation.
As the month draws to a close, we culminate in the celebration of World Environment Health Day on September 26, a day that underscores the profound interplay between our environment and well-being.
This confluence of environmental milestones serves as a poignant reminder of our collective responsibility to nurture and protect the natural world upon which our existence and the delicate balance of our planet depend.
Biofuels encompass any fuel derived from agricultural produce or organic waste. Throughout history, humans have harnessed the power of biofuels, exemplified by the burning of materials such as wood and manure for essential purposes like cooking, heating, and illumination. In recent decades, biofuels have gained widespread recognition due to their potential to offer cleaner energy alternatives. These biofuels are categorised into different “generations” based on their origins. First-generation biofuels originate from food crops like corn and sugar cane, while second-generation biofuels are derived from non-edible vegetation and agricultural waste. Third-generation biofuels are sourced from algae.
Well-known biofuels such as ethanol, biodiesel, and biogas can be produced from any of these sources and are classified according to their origin. For instance, ethanol created from corn grown on farms falls under the category of first-generation ethanol.
Biofuels are used in various modes of transportation, spanning from passenger vehicles to trucking, shipping, and aviation.
These fuels offer a distinct advantage over conventional fossil fuels, as they generate minimal to no emissions when used in engines. In contrast, the gasoline and diesel they are typically mixed with do not share this environmentally friendly characteristic.
There is an optimistic outlook that biofuels could eventually replace fossil fuels entirely in the fields of aviation and specific types of marine vessels. This transition holds the promise of reducing the carbon footprint associated with these modes of transport. This prospect becomes even more compelling if biofuels can be derived from organic waste and non-edible crops cultivated on wastelands. Such a sourcing approach would significantly enhance the overall environmental cleanliness of biofuels.
19 countries and 12 international organizations have so far agreed to join the alliance, of which India, Brazil, and the United States are the founding members.
These three collectively account for approximately 85% of worldwide ethanol production and 81% of its consumption. In 2022, the worldwide ethanol market boasted a valuation of $99.06 billion, with a projected compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.1% anticipated to propel it beyond $162.12 billion by the year 2032.
This alliance, which originates from an Indian concept, is strategically positioned as a worldwide platform with a focus on the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC)-plus coalition, where Saudi Arabia and Russia maintain membership. It seeks the facilitation of demand amplification, technology exchange for biofuel production, and the augmentation of international trade.
The International Energy Agency (IEA) has projected that in order to align the world’s energy systems with the goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, there is a requirement for a threefold increase in global biofuel production by the year 2030.
In its ambitious pursuit of an energy transition, India has set a resolute goal to attain carbon neutrality by the year 2070.In 2018, India unveiled the National Biofuels Policy, a comprehensive framework comprising blending objectives, production incentives, tax concessions, and import regulations governing ethanol for fuel blending. This policy laid a solid groundwork for nurturing the expansion of the biofuel sector within the country.
Additionally, India has laid out an ambitious roadmap for the development of biofuels. Demonstrating its commitment to this endeavour, the government has expedited its previous timeline, now aiming to achieve a 20% ethanol blending rate in petrol by 2025-26, a significant leap from the earlier target of 2030.
Furthermore, India has already surpassed its initial goal of supplying petrol with 10% ethanol blending, accomplishing this milestone in June of the preceding year, ahead of the original schedule set for November 2022.
This achievement resulted in a noteworthy decrease of 2.7 million tonnes in CO2 emissions and yielded savings of around Rs 41,500 crore in foreign exchange. The present objective for the fiscal year 2022-23 is to attain a blending rate of 12 percent. Nevertheless, in order to realize the ambitious 20 percent blending target by the year 2025, it will be imperative to significantly augment ethanol production capacity to a substantial 17 billion litres.
India has taken proactive measures to champion compressed bio-gas (CBG) as an eco-friendly fuel source derived from waste. The Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable Transportation (SATAT) initiative has played a pivotal role in facilitating the establishment of 46 CBG production facilities, with approximately 16,164 tonnes of CBG sold by March 2023.
