- Global Biofuel Alliance (GBA) was recently launched by world leaders to expedite the global uptake of biofuels under India’s G20 presidency. The alliance brings together major biofuel producers and consumers, such as the US, Brazil, and India.
- Nineteen countries and 12 international organizations have already agreed to join or support the GBA.
- The GBA aims to strengthen the global biofuels trade for a greener, sustainable future.
What are Biofuels?
- Any hydrocarbon fuel that is produced from an organic matter (living or once living material) in a short period of time (days, weeks, or even months) is considered a biofuel.
- They can be used to power vehicles, heat homes, and generate electricity. Biofuels are considered renewable because they are made from plants that can be grown again and again.
- Biofuels can be solid, liquid, or gaseous.
- Solid biofuels include wood, dried plant material, and manure.
- Liquid biofuels include bioethanol and biodiesel.
- Gaseous biofuels include biogas.
- Biofuels can replace or be used in addition to fossil fuels for various applications such as generating heat and electricity.
- Reasons for shifting to biofuels include rising oil prices, greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels, and interest in obtaining fuel from agricultural crops for the benefit of farmers.
What are the Pros of Biofuels?
- Renewable: Biofuels can be produced by growing biomass and thus are renewable.
- Energy Security: Biofuels will help reduce dependence on foreign oil, which will also help in reducing import bills.
- Cleaner Energy: They emit less greenhouse gases than fossil fuels, making them a cleaner alternative.
- Increase in Farmer’s Income: Biofuels contribute to additional income of farmers and have potential to contribute to the goal of doubling farmer’s income.
What is the Significance of the Global Biofuel Alliance for India?
- Learning from Best Practices:
- GBA will facilitate the transfer of technologies and the mobilization of international climate funds.
- GBA will accelerate progress in the compressed biogas sector and third-generation ethanol plant capacities
- E-20 Target:
- Having achieved the E10 target, India aims to achieve E20 by 2025-26.
- Learning from Brazil’s success in achieving E-85 through the Global Biofuels Alliance.
- Adoption of Flex Fuel Vehicles in India:
- GBA may accelerate the adoption of Flex Fuel Vehicles.
- It will contribute to a reduction in emissions and India’s crude oil import bill.
- Climate Action: Establishment of GBA reinforces the fight against climate change as it will help countries cooperate to reduce the usage of fossil fuels.
- Promotion of Biofuel Exports:
- It presents an opportunity for India to increase its share in biofuel production leading to greater energy independence for India.
- India has the potential to become a major exporting nation alongside Brazil and the US.
- Increase in Employment Opportunities:
- Investments in the biofuel sector create employment opportunities
- GBA will contribute to the improvement of the financial status of farmers and will assist in doubling farmers’ income.
What are the Concerns about Viability of Global Biofuels Alliance?
- Transfer of Technology: Reluctance from the developed countries, including the US, to share technology with other countries. Technological secrecy may hinder the objectives of the alliance.
- Geopolitical Contestation:
- Opposition from China and Russia to platforms led by Western countries.
- Saudi Arabia and Russia may be concerned that the alliance could promote biofuels as a competitor to oil.
- India and China are major producers of coal as well as major consumers. They are unlikely to give up on using this resource any time soon despite its harmful impact on the environment.
- Funding Limitations:
- Structuring sustainable financing mechanisms for projects is crucial.
- Global institutions like WB and IMF do not have sufficient resources to invest in financing such groups.
- Import Restrictions on Biofuels: India’s policies restrict import of biofuels, impacting global biofuels market development
- Environmental Implications:
- Growing demand for biofuels can have environmental implications
- Water and land requirements may deter water-scarce countries from joining the alliance
What are the Different Generations of Biofuels?
- First Generation Biofuels:
- Made from food sources such as sugar, starch, vegetable oil, or animal fats using conventional technology.
- Examples include Bioalcohols, Biodiesel, Vegetable oil, Bioethers, and Biogas.
- But, use of food sources in production creates an imbalance in the food economy, leading to increased food prices and hunger.
- Second Generation Biofuels:
- Produced from non-food crops or portions of food crops that are not edible and considered as wastes.
- Examples include cellulose ethanol and biodiesel.
- Thermochemical reactions or biochemical conversion processes are used to produce such fuels.
- These fuels emit less greenhouse gases when compared to first generation biofuels.
- Third Generation Biofuels:
- Produced from micro-organisms like algae.Example: Butanol
- Microorganisms like algae can be grown using land and water that are unsuitable for food production, reducing the strain on already depleted water sources.
- But, the fertilizers used in production may lead to environmental pollution.
- Fourth Generation Biofuels:
- Crops genetically engineered to take in high amounts of carbon are grown and harvested as biomass.
- The crops are then converted into fuel using second-generation techniques.
- The fuel is pre-combusted, and the carbon is captured. Then the carbon is geo-sequestered, meaning that it is stored in depleted oil or gas fields or in unmineable coal seams.
- Some of these fuels are considered carbon-negative as their production pulls carbon out of the environment.
- Abundant Availability of Biofuels: Biofuels can be produced from a variety of sources, including crops, waste, and algae.
