With COP22 under way, the Global Renewable Fuels Alliance (GRFA) is calling for a global commitment to biofuels as countries transition to low-carbon economies. Bliss Baker, GRFA president, says that biofuels such as ethanol are proven to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) from 40 percent to 90 percent as compared to fossil fuels.

Prior to COP22, the United Nations released an Environment Programme (UNEP) report that determined current global emission reduction commitments will fall far short of international temperature targets. The report called for global emissions reductions of at least a quarter by 2030.

“Negotiators are confronting the enormous challenge of identifying achievable policy options that will significantly, and affordably, reduce GHG emissions.” Baker said. “Biofuels represent the only commercially viable technology available to significantly offset emissions in the global transport sector. In 2014 alone global ethanol production and use reduced GHG emissions by 169 million tonnes CO2 equivalent.” he added.

Today nearly half the world’s oil consumption is by the global transportation sector that accounts for 25-30 percent of global emissions. According to GRFA, this sector also has the lowest renewable energy share. In light of this, the organization is highlighting studies that find significant potential for increased biofuel use.

“In order to achieve international targets, the negotiations at COP22 must result in decisive support for biofuels production and technology development.” added Baker. “To fully achieve the huge potential of biofuels to cut global transport emissions, the historic political commitments of the past year have to result in concrete, and ambitious action.”