The Renewable Fuels Association told world leaders meeting this week in Madrid that low-carbon ethanol is an economical and proven solution for fighting global climate change.

RFA Vice President of Regulatory Affairs Kelly Davis is attending the U.N. Climate Change Conference (COP25) with a small delegation of U.S. farm and biofuel industry leaders to promote the environmental benefits of ethanol for the world. “Renewable fuels like ethanol hold tremendous promise for helping individual countries meet their GHG reduction commitments, while also stimulating rural and farm economies and reducing oil dependence,” Davis said. “We have established new relationships and strengthened existing bonds this week, and I look forward to continuing our work together to expand the global market for low-carbon renewable fuels.”

RFA is highlighting a recent study by Life Cycle Associates that found biofuel consumption under the U.S. Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) has already resulted in greenhouse gas emissions reductions of nearly 600 million metric tons, far exceeding the Environmental Protection Agency’s original expectations. In addition, Davis is sharing recent USDA research that shows today’s corn ethanol reduces GHG emissions by 43% compared to gasoline, with the potential reduction reaching up to 70% in the next three years.

Finally, RFA is also sharing information showing that ethanol has played an important role in achieving California’s GHG reduction goals under the state’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS). Ethanol is responsible for reducing California GHG emissions by 21 million metric tons—or nearly 40% of the total emissions reductions achieved to date under the LCFS.