GBA to facilitate global biofuel trade and enable policy lesson-sharing

The Global Biofuels Alliance (GBA), formally launched at the G20 Summit in Delhi this year, aims to create strong biofuel markets.

The Global Biofuels Alliance (GBA), formally launched at the G20 Summit in Delhi this year, aims to create strong biofuel markets. The alliance, proposed by India, was launched on 9 September 2023, along with leaders from Singapore, Bangladesh, Italy, the United States of America (U.S.), Brazil, Argentina, Mauritius and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Nineteen countries and 12 international organisations have agreed to join the alliance.

GBA can steer the global market

During its G20 Presidency, India proposed the establishment of the GBA (Green Biofuels Alliance) to promote low-carbon pathways and emphasize adopting clean technologies. In the short to medium term, biofuels offer an opportunity to reduce dependence on fossil fuels, particularly for countries like India that heavily rely on fossil fuel imports for their energy requirements.

Biofuels, many of which can be derived from waste materials, can directly substitute for fossil fuels. For example, biogas can be produced from press mud, animal waste, crop residue, and municipal waste. After purification, it becomes equivalent to natural gas and can be stored and distributed through pipelines, compression, or liquefaction, similar to liquefied natural gas (LNG). LNG prices have exhibited significant volatility, making biogas an attractive alternative.

A key focus for the GBA should be implementing standardized practices throughout the biofuels value chain to prevent additional environmental harm. This involves establishing clear guidelines and standards for feedstocks and ensuring that fertile land is not diverted for energy crop cultivation. In the midstream, standards are needed for conversion technologies and measuring and containing emission leaks during production.

Establishing guidelines for biofuel distribution and usage is essential to prevent their use as tools that promote fossil fuels. Additionally, the GBA should advocate for a comprehensive life cycle assessment of biofuels beyond assessing reductions in end-use emissions to determine their overall impact on carbon emissions. This approach aligns with the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) priority areas, supporting the GBA’s efforts to expand biofuel adoption. These priority areas include developing sustainable biofuel markets, accelerating technology deployment, and establishing performance-based sustainability assessments.

Influencing private participation would be a win

Facilitating increased private sector involvement will strengthen the GBA’s efforts to establish a robust global biofuels market. In addition to serving as an information repository, the GBA can focus on sharing knowledge about emerging and established technologies for second-generation biofuels.

The private sector’s interest in biofuels can be stimulated, as they often serve as a direct replacement for fossil fuels, which have a readily available consumer base. The GBA can identify such opportunities and offer guidance on efficiently distributing and aggregating clean fuels to ensure seamless availability to end consumers.

Furthermore, the GBA should build upon the work of similar consortia, such as the Global Bioenergy Partnership (GBEP) and the Clean Energy Ministerial Biofuture Platform. With its 80 members, including 53 countries and 27 international organizations, GBEP, initiated in 2006, offers a valuable resource. The GBA can leverage GBEP’s 24 science-based sustainability indicators for bioenergy to support well-informed decision-making.

Country feedstock assessment could be a challenge.

The most prevalent biofuels globally are ethanol and biodiesel, which have triggered the food vs fuel debate and have resulted in land use changes with increased cultivation of water-intensive crops. A whole life cycle analysis would show that this has intensified carbon emissions rather than lowering them.

It is also essential to focus on waste as a feedstock or develop advanced technologies for third-generation biofuels. The availability of waste and feedstock would vary by country, which could challenge the GBA. It would need to encourage biofuel-producing countries to undertake country assessments of waste feedstock that can be mapped to production and use. A model assessment supported by the GBA at a national or subnational level could be helpful in this regard.

According to the IEA, “There are sufficient sustainable feedstocks available to support the tripling of biofuel production by 2030 within strict sustainability bounds.” The proposed expansion of biofuels and the opening of new markets are also expected to increase the availability of sustainable feedstock.

Spokesperson:Purva Jain, Energy Analyst at the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA)