Brazil’s Leadership in Biofuels Is Recognized at BBEST

 The BBEST – IEA Bioenergy Conference opened yesterday in São Paulo, gathering researchers from around the world. Running until Thursday, October 24, the event underscores Brazil’s pivotal role in promoting biofuels, especially as the country chairs the G20 this year. Brazil’s leadership in global discussions on energy transition was praised by several speakers at the opening session.

The last two years have been monumental with the launch of the Global Alliance for Biofuels, Brazil’s G20 presidency prioritizing biofuels in the energy transition agenda, the Brazil + Sustainable Agenda, and the recent enactment of the Fuels of the Future law, which will ignite major investment in the biofuels sector,” said Marlon Arraes Jardim Leal, Director of the Biofuels Department at the Ministry of Mines and Energy.

André Correa do Lago, Ambassador and Secretary for Climate, Energy, and Environment at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, noted Brazil’s strong international standing: “Brazil has the potential for sustainable biofuels, including Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and fuels for maritime shipping. However, the global development of this sector is urgently needed.” He emphasized that the G20 must ensure inclusive processes for low-carbon economies, taking into account the social aspects of the energy transition.

Lais de Souza Garcia, Head of the Renewable Energy Division at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, echoed this sentiment, stressing that bioenergy is a promising path for developing nations. “Biofuels offer more than just greenhouse gas reduction; they enable broader sustainable development, encompassing social and economic dimensions,” she said.

Brazil is also advocating for international consensus on carbon accounting with consistent and science-based criteria. “This will be part of the discussions at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP 30) in Belém next year,” she added.

The conference also posed critical questions about the future. “How can bioenergy accelerate a sustainable future?” asked Glaucia Mendes Souza, Professor at the University of São Paulo (USP) and Co-chair of the Conference. Dina Bacovsky, Chair of the IEA Bioenergy Technological Collaboration Program, stressed the urgency of climate action, recalling how distant these challenges once seemed during the Rio 92 Summit but now require immediate attention.

Other notable participants in the opening session included: Raffaella Rossetto from the Campinas Agronomic Institute (IAC) and BIOEN program at FAPESP; Marisa Maia de Barros, Undersecretary of Energy and Mining for the State of São Paulo; Heitor Cantarella from the IAC; Edson Fernandes, Executive Secretary of Agriculture and Supply for São Paulo State; Carlos Graeff, representing FAPESP’s Scientific Director; Rafael Vasconcelos Ribeiro from the Bioenergy Society (SBE); and Rogério Meneghetti, Superintendent of Renewable Energy at Itaipu Binacional.

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