Biofuels take center-stage at COP30
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It has been dubbed the “Amazon COP”, the “COP of Implementation” and “the COP of Truth” – but the UN climate summit in the Brazilian city of belém may end up being remembered as the biofuels COP.
COP30 president Brazil – a leading producer of sugar-based ethanol and soy-based biodiesel – won backing from 23 governments for a pledge to quadruple production of so-called lasting fuels by 2030, and has set out to promote biofuels at the talks.
The production of biofuels is likely to ramp up in the coming years, with the air travel and shipping industries – as well as road transport – seeing it as a cheaper way to decarbonise than technologies based on green hydrogen.
But critics say the need for more land to grow the feedstocks used to make biofuels can increase deforestation pressure, and that land suitable for growing crops should be used for food, not fuel.
Cian Delaney, a campaigner on energy issues at the Brussels-based Transport & Environment group, said it is “difficult to imagine a scenario where this [pledge] doesn’t require more land clearance”.
“Without any commitment from countries to meet the target without clearing more land, this will be devastating for the climate, ecosystems and food security,” he said.
Brazil has tried to allay these concerns, saying that for fuels to be considered sustainable they must have a low greenhouse gas intensity and comply with a set of criteria such as nature conservation, sustainable water management and compliance with social safeguards.
Biofuels have been prominent at the COP30 venue itself. Electricity generators at the venue and buses shuttling delegates around are running on diesel mixed with 10% biofuels, and corporate advocates of plant-based fuels such as Toyota are promoting their product.
The Japanese carmaker was present on at least 10 panels and provided a fleet of 70 hybrid vehicles powered by ethanol. details tablets in each of the cars made the case for biofuels.
Toyota’s communications director, Roberto Braun, told one panel that electric vehicles (EVs) and biofuels are both part of the solution to tackling transport’s fossil fuel emissions, especially in developing countries without adequate charging infrastructure.
Food vs fuel vs forests
Those opposed to biofuels say using renewable electricity and batteries – or green hydrogen made from renewable power – is the right way to cut emissions from transport.
But those options appear a remote possibility in parts of the Global South where charging points are rare and power infrastructure limited,as is the case in Brazil’s vast interior. Other developing countries like COP32 host Ethiopia have faced similar challenges to EV roll-out in rural areas.
In contrast, across Brazil, biofuels are already well-established.
According to a report prepared for the COP30 presidency by the International Energy Agency (IEA), no major country gets more of its fuel from biofuels – particularly ethanol – than Brazil.
Drivers across the country can choose between refuelling with pure ethanol or with a – usually slightly more expensive – mix of 30% ethanol and 70% gasoline. In rural areas, where pick-up trucks like Toyota’s are a ubiquitous sight, billboards advertise ethanol’s environmental benefits.
“Rich country-centric” EV focus
In the run-up to COP30, Greenpeace exchanged a series of open letters with Toyota President Koji Sato, who said the company’s strategy reflected the “differing needs and energy circumstances of customers across nations and regions”.
Taking different realities into account makes sense, said Francis X. Johnson, a sc
Biofuels Offer Potential for Global South, But Concerns Over Sustainability Remain
The global push for electric vehicles (EVs) risks overlooking viable choice fuel sources for nations in the Global South, experts say. While EVs are seen as crucial for decarbonizing transport, their applicability is limited in regions with unreliable electricity access and extensive rural populations. Biofuels, particularly those sustainably produced, could offer a valuable bridge, but require careful management to avoid unintended environmental and social consequences.
A Diversified Approach is Needed
According to a recent report highlighted by Climate Home News, a singular focus on EVs creates a “rich country-centric” perspective. Dr.David Johnson, cited in the report, argues that in areas where infrastructure is lacking, diversified strategies including biofuels are “highly valuable.”
However, the benefits of biofuels vary significantly depending on their source. Sugarcane-based ethanol in Brazil has a long track record of delivering both emissions reductions and economic advancement. Conversely, biofuels derived from soy or corn in Europe and North America generally have a higher carbon footprint and are less sustainable.
Recent investigations have revealed instances of fraudulent practices within the biofuel supply chain. Climate Home News reported in June that virgin palm oil from Malaysia was falsely labeled as used cooking oil and sold to aviation fuel suppliers in Europe, contributing to deforestation and increased food prices in Malaysia. https://www.climatehomenews.org/2024/06/19/palm-oil-fraud-undermines-eu-biofuel-targets/
Felipe Barcellos from the Energy and Environment Institute (IEMA) in Brazil,echoed these concerns,pointing to problematic practices in Indonesia and Malaysia. He emphasized that while EVs represent the ideal long-term solution,biofuels can play a role if safeguards are in place to prevent deforestation linked to feedstock production. Barcellos highlighted Brazil’s potential: the country has 100 million hectares of degraded pasture – an area comparable in size to Egypt – that could be repurposed for sustainable crop production. Reforestation of some of this land is also possible, though financial constraints limit the feasibility of a complete restoration.
Campaigners Prioritize Electrification, Express Caution on Biofuels
Despite the potential benefits, environmental organizations remain cautious about large-scale biofuel adoption. Greenpeace views biofuels as a limited, temporary measure on the path to a fully electrified transportation system.
Mariko Shiohata, a Greenpeace campaigner, acknowledged a marginal need for biofuels but stressed the urgency of prioritizing EVs. Camila Jardim, a Brazil-based Greenpeace campaigner, added that even biofuels labeled as utilizing “degraded land” can still drive land pressure, promote monoculture farming, increase pesticide use, and exacerbate social conflicts. She warned that expansion of biofuel crops can indirectly contribute to deforestation by displacing cattle farming.
Greenpeace advocates for a rapid transition to electric vehicles, coupled with efforts to reduce overall car dependency. They suggest manufacturers like Toyota could accelerate the shift by producing affordable, small EVs alongside investments in renewable energy charging infrastructure. Expanding access to off-grid solar power is also seen as crucial, particularly in regions lacking reliable electricity grids. https://www.greenpeace.org/international/
Shiohata concluded, “There’s no time for detours on electrification.”
Key Considerations for Sustainable Biofuel Production:
* Feedstock Source: Utilizing waste products (like used cooking oil) or sustainably grown crops on degraded land is crucial.
* Land Use Change: Avoiding deforestation and preventing the displacement of existing land uses (like cattle grazing) are paramount.
* Production Practices: Minimizing pesticide use and promoting biodiversity are essential for environmental sustainability.
* Supply Chain Transparency: Robust certification and traceability systems are needed to prevent fraud and ensure sustainability claims are legitimate.