G20 Leaders during launch of Global Biofuel Alliance
New Delhi: Intending to expedite the global uptake of biofuels in an effort to boost the use of cleaner fuels, Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with the leaders of Singapore, Bangladesh, Italy, USA, Brazil, Argentina, Mauritius and UAE, launched the Global Biofuel Alliance on Saturday, on the sidelines of the ongoing G20 Summit in New Delhi.
An initiative by India as the G20 Chair, the Global Biofuel Alliance (GBA) is aimed to serve as a catalytic platform, fostering global collaboration for the advancement and widespread adoption of biofuels.
The widespread adoption of biofuels would be done through facilitating technology advancements, intensifying utilization of sustainable biofuels, shaping robust standard setting and certification through the participation of a wide spectrum of stakeholders.
The alliance will also act as a central repository of knowledge and an expert hub.
GBA aims to serve as a catalytic platform, fostering global collaboration for the advancement and widespread adoption of biofuels.
The biofuels alliance is in line with the International Solar Alliance launched by New Delhi and Paris in 2015 to bring clean and affordable solar energy within the reach of all.
The International Energy Agency estimates in a July report that global sustainable biofuels production would need to triple by 2030 to put the world's energy system on track towards net zero emissions by 2050.
India, the world's third-biggest oil importer and consumer, imports about 85% of its crude needs and is gradually building capacity to increase its output of biofuels.
New Delhi is targeting to become carbon neutral by 2070 and is expanding use of biofuel in its transport sector. It has advanced the deadline by 5 years to 2025 for doubling nationwide ethanol blending in gasoline to 20%.
