Global Biofuels Alliance boosts India’s role in sustainable energy: Suresh Gopi

New Delhi: “The Temporary Executive Committee (TEC) of the Global Biofuels Alliance, comprising member countries tasked with establishing the alliance, has held three meetings. These meetings outlined the GBA’s immediate initiatives, including a series of biofuels workshops and the development of Biofuels Country Landscapes, which offer policy frameworks for member nations,” stated the Minister of State in the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Suresh Gopi, as he highlighted these developments in a written reply in Lok Sabha.

Emphasizing the GBA’s role in promoting sustainable energy and enhancing India’s contribution to the global biofuels market, Gopi said: “The Global Biofuels Alliance (GBA), launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 9, 2023, alongside leaders from the USA, Brazil, Italy, Argentina, Singapore, Bangladesh, Mauritius, and UAE, is set to transform the biofuels landscape globally. The announcement came on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in New Delhi, positioning India at the forefront of this international initiative.”

Minister added: “India’s involvement in the GBA not only enhances its position in the global biofuels sector but also provides new opportunities for Indian industries. The alliance aims to establish India as a knowledge base and production hub for biofuels, including ethanol, Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), and Compressed Bio Gas (CBG).”

The GBA is a multi-stakeholder alliance that includes governments, international organizations, and industries. It aims to unite the largest consumers and producers of biofuels to facilitate capacity-building, provide technical support for national programs, share policy lessons, advance technology, and implement internationally recognized standards. Since its inception, the alliance has expanded to include 24 member countries and 12 international organizations, with continued growth anticipated.

The GBA has made significant strides in global representation, participating in major international forums such as COP28 in Dubai, the World Economic Forum in Switzerland, India Energy Week 2024, and the World Biogas Summit 2024 in the UK. Additionally, the GBA has been recognized as an international organization, contributing to discussions at the Energy Transitions Working Group meeting under Brazil’s G20 presidency and the International Forum on Sustainable Biofuels under Italy’s G7 Presidency.