India launched the Global Biofuel Alliance (GBA) at the G20 Leadership Summit in New Delhi.
The launch aims to accelerate the adoption of biofuels, establish global standards, and encourage industry participation.
Membership and Participants:
12 international organizations and 15 countries are willing to be initiating members of the GBA.
Four nations have expressed interest in becoming observer countries.
Notable absences from the alliance include China, Russia, and Saudi Arabia.
India's Leadership in Global Initiatives:
India has previously spearheaded global development initiatives such as the International Solar Alliance (ISA) and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI).
Objective of GBA:
The GBA aims to address global challenges related to sustainable biofuels and promote wider international cooperation.
It seeks to harness the potential of biofuels for climate change mitigation and sustainable development goals.
Promotion of Biofuels in India:
The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG) in India has been actively promoting biofuels.
India has conducted consultations and recommendations, involving countries like Argentina, Brazil, Canada, the US, and more.
The consultative process resulted in recommendations for the establishment of the GBA.
GBA Membership Structure:
GBA will have three membership categories: member countries, partner organizations, and industries.
It will set technical standards for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) in collaboration with relevant industry bodies.
The alliance aims to enhance global collaboration for accelerated biofuel adoption.
Global Biofuels Production:
The International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates that global sustainable biofuels production needs to triple by 2030 to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
Liquid biofuels played a significant role in reducing oil consumption in the transport sector.
The majority of global biofuel production is concentrated in the US, Brazil, Europe, and Indonesia.
In India, ethanol's share in gasoline vehicles reached 6% in 2022, double the 2019 levels.
The GBA's launch represents India's commitment to promoting sustainable biofuels on a global scale and addressing the challenges associated with their adoption.
