Brazil and India Lead Ethanol Charge at COP30
Brazil and India spotlighted ethanol at COP30. India announced it had reached its 20% blending goal early and joined the Belem 4x initiative, while Brazil highlighted its biofuel leadership and plans to increase blends. Brazil also pushed for a fossil-fuel phaseout and advanced new sustainable-fuel and climate-finance commitments.
Ethanol was a major topic of discussion recently as more than 100 countries gathered in Belem, Brazil, from November 10-21 for the 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30).
With the US and China declining to participate, Brazil and India took the podium to deliver presentations touting the role ethanol can play in reducing greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels.
The Indian government announced that it achieved its goal of mixing 20% ethanol with gasoline five years ahead of schedule. The world’s most populous country is joining Brazil, Japan and Italy to promote ethanol and other biofuels as part of the Belem 4x initiative.
The Belem 4x initiative aims to quadruple the use of sustainable fuels around the world by 2035. Brazil, long a biofuel leader, commonly sells a 27% ethanol blend, and its government recently announced plans to increase the percentage.
India’s rapid ethanol shift highlights the challenges other countries could face, such as a widespread belief that ethanol harms combustion engines. Most fuel pumps in India sell a 20% ethanol blend or unblended gasoline that is nearly twice as expensive. Lower ethanol blends are being phased out.
Ethanol, typically made from corn, sugarcane or rice, is considered cleaner than petroleum-based gasoline. The Indian government said its blending program has already cut carbon emissions by 74 billion kilograms (163 billion pounds)—equivalent to planting 300 million trees—and saved over USD 12 billion in oil imports in the last decade.
Brazil Calls for Phase Out of Fossil Fuels
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio “Lula” da Silva called on world leaders to establish a global roadmap to end fossil fuel dependence and honour international commitments to triple renewable energy capacity and double energy efficiency by 2030. He said it is essential for countries to leave Belem aligned with the 1.5°C target committed to in the Paris Accords.
Brazil’s president also announced the launch of a commitment to quadruple the use of sustainable fuels by 2035 and emphasised the need for debt-for-climate swaps to support developing nations. It was originally launched at the Pre-COP on October 14. Earlier this week, the Baku to Belem Roadmap released a plan to mobilise at least USD 1.3 trillion in climate finance by 2035.
COP30 organisers said that 19 countries have agreed to support the pledge.
“Commitments like this gain traction over time,” said Mauricio Lyrio, secretary for climate, energy, and environment for Brazil’s foreign ministry. “Therefore, 19 endorsements so far are an excellent result. And the variety, above all, is a testament to the fact that we are on the right track and that the cause resonates throughout the world.”
“The effort to quadruple the global output and use of sustainable fuels by 2035 will eventually gain significantly greater international backing and provide a boost to energy transition efforts,” said Engie chairman Jean-Pierre Clamadieu. Clamadieu expects at least 20 to 30 countries to join because of the role sustainable fuels can play in decarbonising the economy.
Also, on the first day of the Summit, Brazil launched its new Tropical Forest Forever Facility (TFFF), securing more than USD 5.5 billion in starting capital. The largest contributions came from Norway. Australian billionaire Andrew Forrest became the first philanthropic investor with a USD 10 million pledge.
