Why is it in the News?

The Global Biofuel Alliance, formed during the recent G20 summit in India, aims to support the development and deployment of sustainable biofuels.

What are Biofuels?

• Biofuels are sustainable fuels made from a variety of organic materials (e.g. wood, crops, oil, algae, organic residues, etc.) called biomass.
• According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), biofuels are liquid fuels derived from biomass.
• It can be used as an alternative to fossil fuel-based liquid transportation fuels such as gasoline, diesel and aviation fuels.

How are Biofuels Produced?

• Biofuels can be produced from several methods or production pathways, including transesterification, hydrotreating, gasification, Fischer-Tropsch synthesis, fermentation and pyrolysis.
• Biofuels are generally divided into four categories – or generations – according to feedstock – or the type of biomass – used.
• First-generation biofuels, known as conventional biofuels, are produced from agricultural food crops, vegetable oil, and food waste.
• Higher carbon content and emit greenhouse gases.
• Second-generation biofuels, called advanced biofuels, are made from energy crops, agricultural or forest residue, known as lignocellulosic biomass.
• Greenhouse content less than 1st generation biofuel
• Third-generation biofuels are made from the byproducts of microorganisms, such as algae, natural organisms that can be rapidly produced with little energy and without disrupting ecosystems.
• Carbon Neutral (CO2 emitted=CO2 sequestered)
• 4th Generation biofuels are produced from genetically engineered crops like GM crops, pyrolysis, gasification etc. and are Carbon Negative.

What are the advantages of Biofuels?

• Biofuel Availability: Biofuels can be produced in multiple locations and from diverse sources, making global production and distribution realistic.
• Renewable Energy: Biofuels come from plants, so we can keep growing them, making biofuels a sustainable energy source.
• Energy Independence: Using biofuels means we rely less on foreign oil, saving money on imports and boosting our energy security.
• Cleaner Environment: Biofuels produce fewer harmful gases compared to fossil fuels, which helps keep our environment cleaner.
• Income for Farmers: Biofuels can give farmers extra income, which aligns with the goal of doubling their earnings.
• Plenty of Biofuel Sources: We can make biofuels from different things like plants, waste, and algae, so there's a lot of it available.

What are the disadvantages of Biofuels?

• Biofuel sustainability: End-to-end sustainability is a key question, as biofuels must come from a green supply chain, starting with sustainable biomass production.
• Land used for biofuel production needs to be closely monitored, ensuring sustainable management practices and avoiding crop displacement.
• Resource Demand: Making biofuels needs a lot of land and water.
• In countries like India, where there's not much extra land for farming, it might not be a good idea to use it for biofuels.
• Competition with Food: Biofuel production and food production sometimes fight for the same land and resources.
• This can lead to higher food prices and make it hard for people to get enough to eat.
• Greenhouse Gases: Surprisingly, some biofuels can produce even more greenhouse gases than regular fossil fuels.
• This happens when we use land that was once covered in forests to grow crops for biofuels.

Are Biofuels a Replacement for Fossil Fuels?

• There is a difference between biofuels and sustainable biofuels according to experts.
• While 1G ethanol is considered a biofuel, experts categorize 2G ethanol as sustainable biofuels.
• The problem has gained significant attention recently due to the acceleration of climate change, raising worries about the threat to food security and the increasing loss of forests and biodiversity as a result of the increased area required for farming.
• Estimates show that far over half of all vegetated land is currently under cultivation, making agriculture one of the primary global sources of carbon emissions.
• The Global Biofuels Alliance (GBA) has said unequivocally that producing 2G ethanol would be its primary objective.

Biofuels and the Energy Shift:

When it comes to changing our energy sources, biofuels play a role:

• Right now, most biofuels are mixed with regular gasoline or diesel to some extent.
• India, for example, is increasing the use of 20% ethanol-blended petrol across the country by 2025.
• Some experts think that electric vehicles (EVs) and green hydrogen are the main focus for our energy future.
• But others believe that 2G ethanol can help in the transition. It can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and keep internal combustion engines in use longer.
• This gives time for new alternatives to develop, helps farmers, and creates jobs.

What is the Global Biofuels Alliance (GBA)?

• The Global Biofuel Alliance (GBA) is an initiative by India as the G20 Chair.
• The Alliance intends to expedite the global uptake of biofuels through facilitating technology advancements, intensifying the utilization of sustainable biofuels, and 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.
• This transition aims to reduce reliance on fossil fuels, create employment opportunities, and stimulate economic growth.
• Members: The GBA has already gained support from 19 countries and garnered the interest of 12 international organizations.
• Notably, seven G20 countries, including Argentina, Brazil, Canada, India, Italy, South Africa, and the United States, are actively supporting the GBA
• Additionally, four G20 invitee countries (Bangladesh, Singapore, Mauritius, UAE) are also backing this initiative.
• Furthermore, eight non-G20 countries (Iceland, Kenya, Guyana, Paraguay, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, Uganda, and Finland) have agreed to be initiated members of the GBA.
• International organizations including, the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, World Economic Forum, World LPG Organization, UN Energy for All, UNIDO, Biofutures Platform, International Civil Aviation Organization, International Energy Agency, International Energy Forum, International Renewable Energy Agency, World Biogas Association.

How the GBA Operate?

• The GBA has a multifaceted approach to support the global development and deployment of sustainable biofuels.
• It provides capacity-building exercises across the entire biofuel production value chain and offers technical support for national biofuel programs.
• Moreover, the GBA aims to foster knowledge sharing regarding policy best practices among its members.
• The GBA plans to establish a virtual marketplace that helps industries, countries, ecosystem participants, and key stakeholders connect by mapping the demand and supply of biofuels.
• It will also facilitate the development, adoption, and implementation of internationally recognized standards, codes, sustainability principles, and regulations.
• These efforts are designed to incentivize the adoption and trade of biofuels on a global scale.

Significance for India:

• The GBA holds particular significance for India.
• It is a tangible outcome of India's G20 presidency, reinforcing the nation's global presence.
• Collaboration within the alliance provides additional opportunities for Indian industries, allowing them to export technology and equipment related to biofuels.
• This collaboration also accelerates existing Indian biofuel programs, such as PM-JIVAN Yojna, SATAT, and the GOBARdhan scheme.
• By doing so, it contributes to increasing farmers' income, creating job opportunities, and fostering overall development within the Indian ecosystem.

Steps taken by GOI to promote biofuels:

• Pradhan Mantri JI-VAN Yojana (2019): This scheme aims to create a system for commercial projects and boost Research and Development in 2G Ethanol production.
• GOBAR DHAN Scheme (2018): This scheme focuses on managing cattle dung and farm waste to create useful compost, biogas, and bio-CNG.
• This not only keeps villages clean but also increases the income of rural households.
• It was launched under the Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin).
• Ethanol Blending: The 2018 Biofuel Policy set a goal to reach 20% ethanol blending and 5% biodiesel blending by 2030.
• However, the government now plans to achieve the 20% ethanol blending target by 2025-26 instead of 2030.
• National Policy on Biofuels (2018): This policy classifies biofuels into "Basic Biofuels" like 1G bioethanol and biodiesel and "Advanced Biofuels" like 2G ethanol, converting municipal solid waste into drop-in fuels, 3G biofuels, and bio-CNG.
• It provides financial and fiscal incentives to promote each category of biofuels.
• Repurpose Used Cooking Oil (RUCO): This initiative, launched by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), aims to collect and convert used cooking oil into biodiesel.

Conclusion

While biofuels hold potential in the fight against climate change, their practical viability remains uncertain. In countries like India, where agricultural surplus is limited, their role as a major energy source may be challenging. Nevertheless, biofuels can still contribute to a greener future through sustainable production and consumption practices. The success of the GBA will determine the extent to which biofuels can play a meaningful role in addressing climate change and energy needs.