This article is based on an Editorial “Biofuels alliance could help 700K farmers, clean the air”  which explores the Global Biofuel Alliance (GBA). 

Why in NEWS:

Union Petroleum & natural gas minister outlined that Global Biofuel Alliance (GBA) will work on the definition and specification of biofuels.

About Global Biofuel Alliance (GBA):

• Member Countries: India, US, Brazil, Argentina, Bangladesh, Italy, Mauritius, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates. Canada and Singapore are observer countries. 
• Aim of Global Biofuel Alliance: To promote the development and deployment of biofuels as a low-carbon pathway to sustainable energy.
• Significance of Global Biofuel Alliance: GBA Members constitute major producers and consumers of biofuels. 

About Biofuels – Harnessing Nature’s Power: Role of Global Biofuel Alliance

• A type of renewable energy source derived from microbial, plant, or animal materials. Biofuels are fuels made from organic materials like plants and animal waste. They are used for energy and can replace traditional fossil fuels.
  • Examples: Bioethanol, biodiesel, biogas and bio-CNG

Benefits of Biofuels: Paving the Way to a Cleaner, More Self-Reliant Future

• Reduce Greenhouse Gasses: Studies suggest that biofuels reduce greenhouse gasses by up to 65 percent. 
• Reducing Foreign Oil Dependency: Opting for renewable energy like biofuel will help reduce dependence on foreign oil in combination with other sustainable measures. 
• Sustainability: It is more sustainable than its fossil fuel counterpart.
• Efficient Fuel: They are made from renewable resources and are relatively less flammable than fossil diesel and also have significantly better lubricating properties.
• Less Pollution Emissions: Since biofuels can be made from renewable resources, they cause less pollution to the planet.
• Converting Waste into Energy: Biofuels can be produced from a variety of waste materials like agricultural waste, food waste, and municipal solid waste. 

Government Initiatives to Promote Biofuels:

• Repurpose Cooking Oil (RUCO) initiative
• Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme
• National Policy on Biofuels-2018
• Pradhan Mantri JI-VAN Yojana, 2019
• Global Biofuel Alliance

Associated Challenges: The Complex Realities of Biofuels and Sustainability Challenges

• Rising Food Prices and Energy Efficiency Concerns: Increasing food prices and net energy loss in biofuel production makes the process of producing biofuels unsustainable.
• Biofuels vs. Food Production: Conservation groups argue that bio-crops would go to better use as a source of food rather than fuel. 
• Adverse Impacts on Land and Ecosystems: Use of large amounts of arable land to produce bio-crops leading to problems like soil erosion, deforestation, fertilizer run-off, and salinity.
• High Emissions: Primary biofuels are combusted to create heat, they produce greater amounts of local emissions than other forms of heating.
• Threat to Delicate Ecosystems: The oils needed to produce biofuels endangered habitats such as rainforests or other biodiverse locations.

Way Forward: Biofuel Advancements From Algae to Genetic Engineering through Global Biofuel Alliance

• Algae Alternative: Algae could potentially yield greater volumes of biofuels per acre than other sources.
• Harnessing the Crop Stubble: A bio-refinery could be constructed to use crop residue to produce ethanol. 
• Use of Genetic Engineering: Most countries which have been successful in promoting biofuel have undertaken genetic engineering on the crops so that the yield is maximized. 
• Support for alternative feedstock for biodiesel production: The Biofuel Policy should focus on expanding the list of feedstocks that can be sustainably used.
• Financing research and development for 2G biofuels: Public enterprises should scale up investment in pilot projects for 2G biofuels. The Pradhan Mantri JI-VAN Yojana already aims to provide INR 1,969 crores to develop 22 projects focused on 2G technologies.

Conclusion 

• Global Biofuel Alliance aims to promote sustainable biofuels, with India and other countries playing a crucial role. Biofuels have potential, challenges like rising food prices and land use issues must be addressed. Looking ahead, innovations like using algae and genetic engineering can further enhance biofuel production, helping us move towards a greener and more sustainable future.