Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched at the G-20 Summit on Saturday, September 9, the Global Biofuels Alliance. Proposing an initiative to take ethanol blending in petrol to up to 20%, the Prime Minister highlighted that the need of the hour is that all countries work together in the field of fuel blending to tackle the climate change challenge.
The Global Biofuels Alliance will facilitate in supporting the world’s energy system towards net zero targets, will strengthen the circular economy, and provide cost effective and environment friendly alternatives. It was announced that the global sustainable biofuels production needs to triple by 2030.
Global Biofuels Alliance with multi-stakeholder support spanning 19 countries and 12 international organisations will identify and address challenges to increase adoption and production of biofuels. It will work towards the development and adoption of internationally recognised standards and sustainability requirements that will help in reduction of global transportation emissions.
Ethanol-blended petrol is believed to be a cleaner fuel, resulting in lower emissions. The government has advanced the target of achieving 20 percent ethanol blending in petrol by five years from 2030 to 2025.
In an interview, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said, “PM Narendra Modi on Saturday launched the Global Biofuels Alliance to boost the use of cleaner fuels. India has been pushing the idea of setting up a Global Biofuels Alliance to help accelerate energy transition. The alliance, with the United States and Brazil as its founding members, is somewhat like the International Solar Alliance (ISA) piloted by New Delhi and Paris in 2015 to bring clean and affordable solar energy within the reach of all.” Gadkari also said that India will be the first in the world to produce biofuel.
Vikram Gulati, Country Head and Executive Vice President, Toyota Kirloskar Motor said, “We at Toyota Kirloskar Motors, applaud the initiative of forming the Global Biofuels Alliance aimed at bringing together countries, international organizations and industry to facilitate adoption of biofuels by driving biofuel development, deployment as well as position biofuels as a key to energy transition thereby contributing to jobs and sustainable economic growth. This announcement has come at a much appropriate time.”
“The Global Biofuels Alliance is a critical step towards a sustainable future as it seeks to build capacity, provide technical assistance, create a virtual marketplace, put down standard codes, sustainability principles and regulations for biofuels, to meet the growing energy needs, both in the domestic as well as global markets. Going forward, we will continue to follow a holistic approach with focus on sustainable mobility that will contribute to India’s agri based economy, promote self-reliance, create jobs as well as support the nation’s development and economic growth,” he added.
