Brazil’s President Lula delighted as Global Biofuels Alliance launched in G20

On Monday, 11 September 2023, Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva expressed his joy regarding the launch of the Global Biofuels Alliance, highlighting it as a significant decision that Brazil had been advocating.

Speaking at a press conference in New Delhi, Lula underscored Brazil’s commitment to increasing ethanol production, emphasizing the critical role Brazil plays in providing ethanol as an alternative to oil.

‘We are continuously enhancing ethanol production in Brazil,” Lula said. ‘The world is well aware of Brazil’s significance in the realm of ethanol as a viable alternative to oil. This decision brings immense happiness to Brazil, as it aligns with our longstanding efforts.’

The Global Biofuels Alliance was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday, 9 September 2023, in the presence of US President Joe Biden, Brazilian President Lula, Argentine President Alberto Fernández, and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. President Lula talked of Brazil’s technical knowhow in biofuels, which will be vital for the future.

Lula pointed out that Brazil had advanced biofuels technology. And he referred to the global recognition of biofuels as a potential solution to the issues of greenhouse gas effects and emissions.

The Global Biofuels Alliance aims to promote international biofuels trade, share concrete policy insights, and offer technical support for national biofuels programs worldwide.

The alliance’s primary objective is to foster global collaboration and cooperation to accelerate the adoption of biofuels by identifying best practices for the development and deployment of sustainable biofuels and bio-products. As many as 19 countries, including India, have pledged their support as founding members of the Global Biofuels Alliance.

In a July report, the International Energy Agency projected that global sustainable biofuel production would need to triple by 2030 to align the world’s energy system with the goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. 

India, which is striving to become carbon neutral by 2070, is actively expanding the use of biofuels in its transportation sector. The country has advanced its deadline to 2025 for doubling the nationwide ethanol blending in gasoline to 20 percent.