PM Formally Launches Global Biofuels Alliance; 19 Countries, 12 Global Bodies Agree to Join

September 10, 2023

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by Sukalp Sharma (Indian Express) The alliance is aimed at facilitating international cooperation and intensifying the use of sustainable biofuels, along with facilitating global biofuels trade and technical support for national biofuel programmes.

The Global Biofuels Alliance (GBA) was formally launched on Saturday evening by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the presence of leaders of a number of partner countries on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in New Delhi. The GBA has been in the works for some time now and is a key initiative and priority under India’s G20 presidency. The alliance is aimed at facilitating international cooperation and intensifying the use of sustainable biofuels, along with facilitating global biofuels trade and technical support for national biofuel programmes.

The GBA, the effort for which was spearheaded by India, the United States, and Brazil, has been launched with nine initiating members–India, the US, Brazil, Argentina, Bangladesh, Italy, Mauritius, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates–while Canada and Singapore are observer countries. In all, 19 countries and 12 international organisations have already agreed to join the GBA.

Seven of the 19 countries are from the G20, four are among the G20 invitee countries, while eight are neither G20 members nor invitees. The World Bank, Asian Development Bank, World Economic Forum, International Energy Agency, International Energy Forum, International Renewable Energy Agency, and International Civil Aviation Organization are among the organisations that have agreed to join the alliance. Modi launched the GBA in the presence of leaders from the US, Brazil, the UAE, Singapore, Italy, Argentina, Bangladesh, and Mauritius.

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In a statement, the White House said that the alliance’s founding members will make efforts to add more countries to the group. “The Alliance is focused on securing the supply of biofuels, ensuring these biofuels remain affordable and are produced sustainably. Founding members of the Alliance will continue outreach to other countries committed to these shared values with the goal of adding more countries to this effort,” the statement from the White House read.

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For India, which is the world’s third-largest consumer of crude oil and depends on imports to meet over 85 per cent of its requirement of the commodity, increasing the use of biofuels is a key tool towards two ends–reducing dependency on energy imports and limiting the carbon footprint of the country’s rapidly growing energy use. READ MORE

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday announced the launch of the Global Biofuels Alliance. (Mint)

G20 Summit: PM Modi Launches Global Biofuels Alliance -- Besides India, the initiating members included Argentina, Bangladesh, Brazil, Italy, Mauritius, South Africa, the UAE and the US, while Canada and Singapore are observer countries. (NDTV)

‘Global biofuel alliance’ launched by PM Modi, other G20 leaders urged to join initiative (Goa Chronicle)

PM Modi launches Global Biofuels Alliance, 19 countries stand with India as initiating members (ANI/California Telegraph)

G20 Summit: What Is Global Biofuel Alliance Launched By PM Narendra Modi? The Global Biofuels Alliance, proposed by India, follows a model similar to the International Solar Alliance (ISA) initiated by New Delhi and Paris in 2015. (ABP Live)

G20 Summit: PM Modi Announces Launch of Global Biofuel Alliance, Urges World Leaders to Join Initiative (News 18)

G20 Summit 2023: PM Narendra Modi Launches Global Biofuels Alliance, 19 Countries Stand With India As Initiating Members (Watch Video) (LastLY)

G20 Summit: Modi Announces Adoption Of 'Delhi Declaration', Global Biofuel Alliance (India Times)

India Forges Global Biofuel Alliance in Push Toward Net Zero Aim -- India launched a global alliance for promoting biofuels adoption at the Group of 20 leaders meeting in New Delhi, aimed at reducing emissions in the transportation and industrial sectors. (Financial Post/Bloomberg News)

Biofuels Alliance: ‘Happiest Decision For Brazil’: Brazil President Lula On Global Biofuels Alliance (The News Motion)

Explained: How Global Biofuels Alliance Will Help India (NDTV)

Explained | Global Biofuels Alliance (OnManorama)

Business News | Global Biofuels Alliance to Strengthen India’s Position Globally: Minister Hardeep Puri (LatestLY)

PM Modi's biofuel initiative set to wean the world off oil dependency: Minister Hardeep Puri (Economic Times Auto)

Sugar stocks rise sharply, get a boost from the launch of Global Biofuel Alliance by PM Modi at G20 Summit (Mint)

PM Modi's biofuel initiative set to wean the world off oil dependency: Hardeep Singh Puri (Economic Times Energy)

Renuka Sugars, Balrampur Chini: Sugar stocks turn sweeter on G20 biofuel initiative (Business Today)

G20 summit: PM Modi launches Global Biofuels Alliance along with US, Brazil and 6 other nations. Here is what you need to know (OpIndia)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announces Global Biofuels Alliance at G20 Summit (The Indian Wire)

"Biofuels Alliance Will Reduce World Pollution": Nitin Gadkari To NDTV (NDTV)

India is well-suited to develop biofuel resources, says Maruti Suzuki Chairman RC Bhargava (Business Today)

Global Biofuel Alliance will significantly lessen world pollution: Nitin Gadkari (News Bytes)

India launches Global Biofuel Alliance at G20: A paradigm shift in sustainable energy and economic strategy (Economic Times Energy World)

'Global Biofuels Alliance' Launched at G20: What Is It and Why Is It Important? The Global Biofuels Alliance comprising over 30 countries and international organisations was launched on Saturday. (The Quint)

India G20 preparations: PM Modi proposes global biofuel alliance to support energy (France 24)

India proposes global biofuel alliance at G20 Summit for clean energy (Times of India)

G20 host India proposes global biofuel alliance to support energy transition (Ludington Daily News)

Bangladesh considers joining Global Biofuel Alliance led by India, USA -- It would be the first US-led alliance that will facilitate close interactions between the two countries on common grounds (The Business Standard)

What are biofuels and why is it so confusing whether they are a source of clean energy or not? (Associated Press/WANE.com)

Global Biofuel Alliance formed at G20 Summit in New Delhi, India (Biobased Diesel Daily)

India Will Show The World A New Path On Biofuel Through Global Biofuels Alliance: Puri (Kashmir Observer)

India Will Show World New Path On Biofuel Through Global Biofuels Alliance: Puri (Business World)

Biofuel pact to reduce petrol, diesel dependence, says Puri (Financial Express)

The Biggest Thing Anywhere Ever? The story behind the Global Biofuels Alliance (Biofuels Digest)

What is driving the Global Biofuels Alliance? | Explained -- What type of biofuel is the alliance going to concentrate on? Why are countries trying to find alternatives? (The Hindu)

India’s Renewed Biofuels Push to Disrupt Agriculture, Worsen Inequality (News Click)

Will Asia’s food shortages be exacerbated by new Global Biofuels Alliance, with crops diverted? (South China Morning Post)

G20 Biofuels Alliance threatens food security (New Age)

Government on Course to Achieve 12% Ethanol Blending Target This Year--Food Secretary (Mint)

Excerpt from ABP Live: India's Expectation From Biofuel

Gaurav Kedia, Chairman of the Indian Biogas Association (IBA), in an interview with Moneycontrol, said that they expect India to set up 5,000 compressed biogas plants (CBG) by the year 2030. The Global Biofuels Alliance (GBA) could play a pivotal role in advancing this target and offering guidance in the implementation of these plants.

Kedia further said that the government has received approximately 4,090 letters of intent (LoI) from various entities interested in establishing CBG plants across India. Prominent companies like Reliance Industries Limited (RIL), the Adani Group, and other energy public sector undertakings (PSUs) are actively planning to initiate CBG plant projects in the country.

Reliance, now India's leading bio-energy producer, has ambitious plans to set up 100 CBG plants within the next five years, with a focus on utilizing 5.5 million tonnes of agro-residue and organic waste. Additionally, Indian Oil, HPCL, GAIL, and other major oil companies are also actively involved in the CBG segment. READ MORE

Excerpt from The News Motion: Brazil President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Monday expressed his delight on the launch of the Global Biofuels Alliance and said that this is the happiest decision for Brazil as they have been fighting for it.

While addressing a press conference in New Delhi, Lula emphasized that Brazil will continue to improve ethanol production.

“We continue to improve the ethanol production in Brazil. Everybody knows what role Brazil plays in ethanol as an alternative to oil. This is the happiest decision for Brazil as we have been fighting for it,” Lula said.

PM Narendra Modi on Saturday launched the Global Biofuels Alliance in the presence of US President Joe Biden, President of Brazil Luiz Inacio, President of Argentina, Alberto Fernandez and Prime Minister of Italy Giorgia Meloni.

Brazil’s President further said that the country has tech control on biofuels.

“Brazil has tech control on biofuels and this initiative is important for our future,” he said.
Lula also appreciated that the world is now perceiving that biofuel could solve the issues of greenhouse gas effects and emissions.

“Finally, the world is now perceiving that biofuel could solve the major issue which is the greenhouse gas effects, and emissions…,” he added. READ MORE

Excerpt from OpIndia: Additionally, the interested international and multilateral organisations include the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, World Economic Forum, World LPG Organisation, UN-Energy for All, UNIDO, Biofutures Platform, International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), International Energy Agency (IEA), International Energy Forum, International Renewable Energy Agency, and World Biogas Association.

However, China and oil producers Saudi Arabia and Russia are not a part of this alliance. Apart from the environmental aspect, the alliance would help member countries in economic terms as well. Evidently, according to the Indian Biogas Association (IBA), the Biofuels Alliance can generate opportunities worth USD 500 billion in the next three years for G20 countries. READ MORE