Brain Booster for UPSC & State PCS Examination (Topic: Global Biofuels Alliance - GBA)

Why in Broadcast?

  • The Global Biofuels Alliance (GBA) was formally launched on 9th September by PM Narendra Modi in the presence of leaders from the US, Brazil, the UAE, Singapore, Italy, Argentina, Bangladesh, and Mauritius on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in New Delhi.

Aim

  • The alliance is aimed at facilitating international cooperation and intensifying the use of sustainable biofuels, along with facilitating global biofuels trade and technical support for national biofuel programmes.

The Members

  • The efforts for GBA were spearheaded by India, the United States, and Brazil.
  • It has been launched with nine initiating members:
  • India,
  • The USA,
  • Brazil,
  • Argentina,
  • Bangladesh,
  • Italy,
  • Mauritius,
  • South Africa,
  • The United Arab Emirates
  • Observer Countries
  • Canada
  • Singapore.
  • Total 19 countries and 12 international organisations have already agreed to join the GBA.
  • 7 of the 19 countries are from the G20, 4 are among the G20 invitee countries, while 8 are neither G20 members nor invitees.
  • International Organisations:
  • The World Bank,
  • Asian Development Bank,
  • World Economic Forum,
  • International Energy Agency,
  • International Energy Forum,
  • International Renewable Energy Agency,
  • International Civil Aviation Organization.

About Biofuel

  • Biofuel is a fuel that is produced over a short time span from biomass, rather than by the very slow natural processes involved in the formation of fossil fuels, such as petroleum.
  • However, the word biofuel is usually reserved for liquid or gaseous fuels, used for transportation.
  • Most of biofuel consumption occurs as a blend with refined petroleum products such as gasoline, diesel fuel, heating oil, and kerosenetype jet fuel.
  • The most common biofuels now are Bioalcohols such as ethanol, propanol, and butanol; Biodiesel; Bio-oils.

Expansion of E20 Petrol

  • During the launch Indian PM proposed for an initiative at a global-level to take ethanol blending in petrol up to 20 percent.
  • He also pressed on developing another blending mix for the greater global good, one that ensures a stable energy supply while also contributing to climate security.
  • The sale of E20 petrol in India, was launched by PM Modi in February, 2023.
  • The number of outlets dispensing E20 petrol has jumped to 1,350.