Global Biofuels Alliance: an environment friendly alternative to clean energy

(Relevant for General Studies Paper | Environment | Prelims/Mains)

Global Biofuels Alliance: An environment friendly alternative to clean energy

As the global focus shifts towards renewable energy sources in the fight against climate change, biofuels have emerged as a promising solution. The recently concluded G20 summit in New Delhi witnessed the establishment of the Global Biofuels Alliance, an initiative led by India. The goal of this alliance is to build a coalition comprising governments, international organizations, and industry stakeholders to encourage the widespread adoption of biofuels.

Biofuels

Any hydrocarbon fuel produced from organic matter, whether currently living or once living, within a short timeframe (days, weeks, or even months) qualifies as a biofuel. These fuels find applications in powering vehicles, heating homes, and generating electricity. The renewable nature of biofuels stems from their production using plants that can be grown repeatedly.

Biofuels manifest in various forms, including solid, liquid, or gaseous. Solid biofuels encompass materials such as wood, dried plant matter, and manure. Liquid biofuels consist of bioethanol and biodiesel, while gaseous biofuels take the form of biogas.

Biofuels, capable of replacing or complementing fossil fuels, serve diverse purposes like heat and electricity generation. The shift towards biofuels is driven by factors such as escalating oil prices, the greenhouse gas emissions associated with fossil fuels, and the interest in deriving fuel from agricultural crops for the benefit of farmers.

Different Generations of Biofuels

First Generation Biofuels: Derived from food sources such as sugar, starch, vegetable oil, or animal fats through conventional technology. Examples encompass Bioalcohols, Biodiesel, Vegetable oil, Bioethers, and Biogas. However, the utilization of food sources in production creates an imbalance in the food economy, leading to heightened food prices and hunger.
Second Generation Biofuels: Crafted from non-food crops or non-edible portions of food crops, regarded as wastes. Examples include cellulose ethanol and biodiesel. These fuels are produced using thermochemical reactions or biochemical conversion processes and emit fewer greenhouse gases compared to first-generation biofuels.
Third Generation Biofuels: Generated from micro-organisms such as algae, with Butanol as an example. Micro-organisms like algae can be cultivated in areas unsuitable for food production, lessening the strain on already depleted water sources. However, the use of fertilizers in production may contribute to environmental pollution.
Fourth Generation Biofuels: Crops engineered to absorb high amounts of carbon are grown and harvested as biomass. These crops are then converted into fuel using second-generation techniques. The fuel undergoes pre-combustion, and the captured carbon is geo-sequestered, stored in depleted oil or gas fields, or in unmineable coal seams. Some of these fuels are considered carbon-negative, as their production withdraws carbon from the environment.

Pros of Biofuels

Renewable Nature: The production of biofuels involves growing biomass, rendering them renewable.
Enhanced Energy Security: Biofuels play a role in diminishing reliance on foreign oil, thereby reducing import bills and enhancing energy security.
Environmentally Friendly: Biofuels emit fewer greenhouse gases compared to fossil fuels, positioning them as a cleaner alternative.
Economic Boost for Farmers: Biofuels not only contribute to additional income for farmers but also hold the potential to contribute to the overarching goal of doubling farmers’ income.
Abundant Availability: Biofuels can be derived from a diverse range of sources, including crops, waste, and algae, ensuring their abundant availability.

Concerns about Viability of Biofuels

A significant concern revolves around the substantial demand for land and water resources needed for their production. In nations like India, where agricultural surplus is lacking, diverting arable land to cultivate the necessary crops for biofuel production may not be viable.
Moreover, the competition between biofuel production and food production for land and resources raises significant apprehensions. If biofuels are prioritized at the expense of food production, it has the potential to result in increased food prices and heightened food insecurity.
The production of certain biofuels may, counterintuitively, lead to higher greenhouse gas emissions than those from fossil fuels, especially when derived from crops cultivated on land that was formerly covered by forests.

Recent Steps taken for Biofuel

Indian Initiatives:

Pradhan Mantri JI-VAN Yojana, 2019: This scheme aims to establish a conducive environment for the development of commercial projects and enhance Research and Development in the 2G Ethanol sector.
Ethanol Blending: The 2018 Biofuel Policy strives to achieve a 20% ethanol blending and 5% biodiesel blending by 2030. However, the recent shift in plans indicates that the government intends to achieve the 20% ethanol blending target in petrol by 2025-26.
GOBAR (Galvanizing Organic Bio-Agro Resources) DHAN Scheme, 2018: This initiative concentrates on the effective management and conversion of cattle dung and farm solid waste into valuable compost, biogas, and bio-CNG. The goal is to maintain cleanliness in villages and enhance the income of rural households. Launched under the Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin).
Repurpose Used Cooking Oil (RUCO): Launched by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), this initiative aims to create an ecosystem for the collection and conversion of used cooking oil into biodiesel.
National Policy on Biofuels, 2018: This policy classifies biofuels into “Basic Biofuels,” including First Generation (1G) bioethanol and biodiesel, and “Advanced Biofuels,” covering Second Generation (2G) ethanol, Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) to drop-in fuels, Third Generation (3G) biofuels, and bio-CNG. It facilitates the extension of suitable financial and fiscal incentives for each category.

Global Biofuel Alliance

The recent launch of the Global Biofuel Alliance (GBA) by world leaders, under India’s G20 presidency, aims to accelerate the worldwide adoption of biofuels. This alliance unites prominent biofuel producers and consumers, including the US, Brazil, and India.
Nineteen countries and twelve international organizations have already committed to participating in or supporting the GBA. The primary objective of the GBA is to enhance global biofuels trade, fostering a greener and more sustainable future.

Significance of Global Biofuels Alliance for India

Learning from Best Practices: The GBA will facilitate the transfer of technologies and the mobilization of international climate funds, thereby expediting progress in the compressed biogas sector and the capacities of third-generation ethanol plants.
E-20 Target: After successfully achieving the E10 target, India now aspires to reach E20 by 2025-26, drawing inspiration from Brazil’s success in achieving E-85 through the Global Biofuels Alliance.
Adoption of Flex Fuel Vehicles in India: The potential adoption of Flex Fuel Vehicles is expected to accelerate, contributing to a reduction in emissions and India’s crude oil import bill.
Climate Action: The establishment of the GBA reinforces the global fight against climate change, fostering international cooperation to reduce the reliance on fossil fuels.
Promotion of Biofuel Exports: This initiative offers India an opportunity to increase its share in biofuel production, positioning it alongside major exporting nations like Brazil and the US. This move can significantly contribute to India’s energy independence.
Increase in Employment Opportunities: Investments in the biofuel sector have the potential to create numerous employment opportunities, thereby improving the financial status of farmers and supporting the goal of doubling farmers’ income.

Concerns about Viability of Global Biofuels Alliance

Transfer of Technology: The reluctance of developed countries, including the US, to share technology with other nations could impede the alliance’s objectives. The secrecy surrounding technology may pose a challenge to the alliance’s goals.
Geopolitical Contestation: There is opposition from China and Russia to platforms led by Western countries. Saudi Arabia and Russia may be apprehensive that the alliance could position biofuels as a competitor to oil. India and China, being major producers and consumers of coal, are unlikely to relinquish the use of this resource soon, despite its environmental impact.
Funding Limitations: The crucial task of structuring sustainable financing mechanisms for projects remains a challenge. Global institutions like the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund do not possess sufficient resources to invest in financing such groups.
Import Restrictions on Biofuels: India’s policies that restrict the import of biofuels have an impact on the development of the global biofuels market.
Environmental Implications: The growing demand for biofuels can have environmental consequences, with water and land requirements potentially discouraging water-scarce countries from participating in the alliance.

What should be done

The GBA should be harnessed to strengthen and bolster biomass supply chains. It should give precedence to the effective transfer of technology for second-generation ethanol production from agricultural residue.
Additionally, the GBA should advocate for sustainable financial backing for bio energy projects and highlight pilot-scale production facilities for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).
There is the potential for it to replicate the success of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) in the renewable energy sector, with India taking the lead.

While biofuels have the potential to emerge as a significant energy source in the battle against climate change, their feasibility raises concerns. The Global Biofuel Alliance presents an opportunity for a more environmentally friendly future, but its actual effectiveness remains uncertain. In countries such as India, where there is a scarcity of agricultural surplus, biofuels might not be a feasible primary energy source. Nevertheless, they can still contribute to a greener future by embracing sustainable production and consumption practices.

Reference: The Hindu

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Frequently Asked Questions:

1. Question: Define biofuels and explain their different generations.

Answer: Biofuels are fuels derived from organic matter and can be generated within a short timeframe. They come in various forms – solid, liquid, and gas, with applications across vehicular fuel, heating, and electricity generation. Biofuels are categorized into generations – first generation is derived from food sources, second generation from non-food sources or waste, third generation utilizes microorganisms like algae, and fourth generation uses crops that are specifically engineered to absorb high carbon amounts and utilizes advanced production techniques.

2. Question: Briefly discuss the challenges and concerns associated with biofuel production and utilization.

Answer: Challenges related to biofuel production and utilization include the substantial demand for land and water resources, competition with food production leading to potential food insecurity, and sometimes inadvertently causing higher greenhouse gas emissions, especially when crops are cultivated on previously forested land.

3. Question: What is the Global Biofuels Alliance and how does it aim to promote biofuel use on a global scale?

Answer: The Global Biofuels Alliance (GBA), initiated at the G20 summit in New Delhi, aims to promote the worldwide adoption of biofuels by uniting major biofuel producers and consumers, including the US, Brazil, and India. The alliance seeks to enhance global biofuel trade and shares technologies and funds to foster a more sustainable and greener future.

4. Question: Highlight the key objectives and significance of the Pradhan Mantri JI-VAN Yojana 2019 and Ethanol Blending initiative by the Indian government.

Answer: The Pradhan Mantri JI-VAN Yojana, launched in 2019, aims to develop a conducive environment for commercial projects and enhance research and development in the 2G Ethanol sector. On the other hand, the Ethanol Blending initiative under the 2018 Biofuel Policy aspires to achieve 20% ethanol blending in petrol by 2025-26, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and mitigating greenhouse gas emissions.

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