India has officially signed the host country agreement with the Global Biofuels Alliance (GBA) to establish its secretariat within the country. This agreement grants GBA necessary legal status, including privileges and immunities under the UN’s Privilege & Immunities Act of 1947, allowing smooth operation under Indian law.

GBA, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi alongside global leaders at the G20 Summit in September 2023, is modeled on the International Solar Alliance. It aims to create an alliance of governments, international organizations, and industries to promote and accelerate the use of biofuels globally.

The alliance’s goal is to develop a cooperative network among the world’s largest producers and consumers of biofuels. It seeks to boost biofuel development and deployment, focussing on energy transition and creating economic growth. India, Argentina, Bangladesh, Brazil, Italy, Mauritius, South Africa, the UAE, and the US were among the founding members, with Canada and Singapore serving as observers. Since its launch, GBA’s membership has grown to 27 countries and 12 international organizations.

The alliance addresses various biofuel challenges, including feedstock availability, policy development, streamlining biomass supply chains, and securing investments in biofuel production. It also promotes clean cooking and works on technical and quality standardization to encourage wider global adoption of biofuels.

Biofuels, derived from renewable biomass resources like plastic, municipal solid waste, and agricultural residues, provide a sustainable alternative to conventional fossil fuels, reducing dependence on imports and boosting energy security. India, which imports over 85% of its crude oil, is ramping up efforts to produce biofuels, such as ethanol and compressed biogas, from crop stubble and municipal waste.

The GBA’s mission is to foster global collaboration, strengthen biofuel markets, and promote technology sharing. The alliance is crucial to India’s goals of reducing fossil fuel dependence and transitioning to cleaner energy alternatives, which would help cut down its carbon emissions and reach its net-zero goal by 2070. The GBA also aims to establish a virtual marketplace to connect biofuel producers, technology providers, and consumers, enabling better coordination in demand and supply.

Overall, the GBA is expected to significantly contribute to the global adoption of biofuels, offering India opportunities to export technology and accelerate its own biofuel programs. It is projected that the global ethanol market, valued at $99.06 billion in 2022, will grow to $162.12 billion by 2032, underscoring the importance of biofuels in the future energy landscape.