The Critical Role Of Biofuels In India's Agenda At COP28

By Ashvin Patil

Addressing climate change takes center stage as the world comes together for COP28, pushing countries towards sustainable solutions to reshape our collective future positively. An important component of sustainable solutions is biofuels, a renewable energy source with the potential to reduce carbon emissions and mitigate climate change.

The focus on biofuels strengthens the global efforts to balance economic growth with environmental responsibility. Countries are increasingly recognizing the need to transition to greener practices and biofuels present a viable and achievable path towards sustainability.

Biofuels are made by compressing biomass or organic waste materials like paddy stubble, cotton stalk residue etc. They are a renewable and eco-friendly alternative to conventional fossil fuels. Biofuels are biodegradable, emit fewer greenhouse gases (GHGs), and help reduce the nation’s dependence on imported fossil fuels.

In India, biofuels are available in the solid form as briquettes and pellets and in the liquid form as biodiesel and bioethanol. Additionally, compressed biogas (CBG) derived from organic waste is gaining traction as an eco-friendly fuel option.

Biofuels have the potential to not only replace coal in industrial boilers but also serve as clean substitutes for conventional fuels in internal combustion engines, contributing to a more environmentally friendly and energy-independent future.

Reduction in fossil fuel dependence

The reduction in fossil fuel dependence and the integration of biofuels play a critical role in the global shift towards achieving net-zero emissions. Biofuels reduce the emission of GHGs, help in the diversification of energy sources, enhance energy security, and contribute to the global objective of a net-zero carbon economy.

This focus at COP28 reinforces the critical need for transitioning to renewable energy sources, and biofuels are one of them.

The use of biofuels reduces the nation’s reliance on foreign oil markets by providing a homegrown substitute. India can ensure a more stable and secure energy supply by increasing its energy resilience through local biofuel feedstock cultivation and the establishment of a strong biofuel production infrastructure. Further, India’s trade balance will directly benefit from a decrease in reliance on imported fossil fuels.

Harnessing its abundant agricultural residues for biofuel production will not only help the country in managing agricultural waste but will also open up economic opportunities in rural areas.

The country’s biofuel policy includes blending biofuels with conventional fossil fuels as a key component. The government has set ambitious targets for the mix of biofuels in industries like transportation, which account for a significant amount of carbon emissions. Because the blending method permits a gradual shift, it provides an achievable solution to cut emissions without requiring immediate rebuilding of the current infrastructure.

India has started the Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) programme to blend ethyl alcohol or ethanol (C2H5OH), a biofuel naturally produced by fermenting sugar, with petrol, to reduce the consumption of fossil fuels. The average percentage of ethanol blended with petrol in India was 10% in June 2022.

The government’s mandate for 5% co-firing of agricultural residue-based pellets with coal in all power plants and the promotion of CBG and biodiesel manufacturing from agri residue aligns with the global agenda for a sustainable and inclusive transition to cleaner energy sources.

With calorific values comparable to CNG, CBG is also a domestically viable alternative. This aligns with the government’s ambitious goal to increase the share of natural gas in India’s primary energy mix to 15% by 2030.

To promote this Government has initiated support under SATAT (Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable Transportation) scheme to fund the CBG plants. With 5% mixing of CBG with its natural gas, India could significantly reduce liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports, saving approximately $1.17 bn annually, as per Indian Biogas Association (IBA)

India’s active role in the Global Biofuel Alliance has established its position as a leader in biofuel technology and policy development. This underlines the potential for international collaboration, research and technology transfer to enhance biofuel production.

The use of biofuels also aligns with the goals of the Paris Agreement, which aims to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius, preferably to 1.5 degrees Celsius, compared to pre-industrial levels. This makes them a promising solution in combating rising temperatures.

India’s significant biofuel initiatives will set the bar for countries especially at global events like COP28 to collaborate and deliberate over inclusive ways to tackle climate change.

-The author is Founder and Director, Biofuels Junction. Views expressed are personal.