The Role Of Liquid Biofuels In Accelerating The Sustainable Energy Transition: Lessons Learned For The Sustainable Expansion Of Transport Biofuels In Emerging Markets Of Africa, Asia, And Latin America

Sustainable liquid biofuels are fundamental for decarbonizing the transportation sector. Biofuels offer a viable, economical, and environmentally sustainable alternative to fossil fuels, serving as a bridge to future mobility solutions like electromobility and hydrogen, which have longer development timelines. They improve air quality, public health, and contribute to agricultural and economic development, enhancing energy diversification, security, and leveraging each country’s comparative advantages. The main challenges for the continued development of biofuels are the absence of an international standard, coordination and certification methodologies, lack of regulations in some countries and the subsidies to fossil fuels. The authors of this policy brief recommend that the G20 and the international community strengthen regulatory frameworks for sustainable biofuel use in land transportation, standardize and harmonize GHG reduction standards and certification mechanisms, and develop common regional and national policies to advance the production and consumption of new biofuels for sectors such as aviation and maritime transportation. An analysis’ of biofuels implementation in emerging markets of Africa, Asia, and Latin America shows that meeting 25% blending targets requires only 1-7.8% of their total land area, achieving substantial GHG reductions. Favorable climatic conditions for biomass production in these countries and the low greenhouse gas impact of international freight underscore the benefits of global biofuel trade, highlighting the urgent need for widespread adoption to accelerate decarbonization efforts.