Biofuels and Biotech Industries Unite

Brussels — The global biofuels and industrial biotechnology sectors have united to call on world leaders attending the COP21 in Paris to support a global commitment to replace at least 15 percent of the world’s total oil use in transport with sustainable biofuels by 2030, with a significant presence of advanced biofuels.

The call for action was issued by five biofuel and biotech organizations that collectively represent over 330 companies responsible for 90 percent of the world’s biofuels production and comes ahead of a joint industry event at the World Climate Summit in Paris during COP21.

Global transport emissions have increased to 14 percent of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions and about a quarter of the total energy-related C02 emission. With the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) predicting that transport emissions could double by 2050, the need for preventative policy measures by world leaders is clear and urgent. According to the IPCC, transport’s growing emissions could be cut by 15–40 percent through “aggressive and sustained” policy measures, including reducing the carbon intensity of fuels by substituting oil-based products with biofuels.

According to the International Energy Agency, by 2050, sustainable biofuels could provide 27 percent of the world’s total transport fuel and avoid around 2.1 gigatonnes of CO2 emissions per year, with biofuels eventually providing 23 percent of total emission reductions in the transport sector. Sustainable biofuels, such as ethanol, can be used in the existing vehicle fleet to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40–90 percent compared to fossil fuels and must be considered an important part of the toolkit to decarbonize transport.

Bob Dinneen, President & CEO, Renewable Fuels Association:
“Biofuels, like ethanol, are the most potent weapon we have at our disposal for combatting climate change. They have a solid track record of reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector, and we must embrace them if we are serious about providing a cleaner environment for future generations.”

Elizabeth Farina, President & CEO, UNICA:
“Biofuels are almost the only solution for a cleaner transport available at a commercial scale today. Ethanol can reduce emissions by 90 percent. We cannot dismiss such an option.”

Robert Wright, Secretary-General, ePURE:
“Biofuels are not a silver bullet — but they are one of the major technologies available to decarbonize transport. Biofuels can be used in the existing vehicle fleet to immediately reduce emissions and are therefore a key part of the toolkit to reduce global transport emissions.”

About Renewable Fuels Association (RFA)

Since 1981, the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) has been the authoritative voice of the U.S. ethanol industry. Our members are committed to helping our country become cleaner, safer, and more energy independent. In creating a forum for ethanol producers and industry stakeholders, RFA has achieved an unequaled record of results through action, advocacy and analysis.

For further information about Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), please visit the website here.