TORONTO — Today, as COP 2014 is fully underway in Lima, Peru, the Global Renewable Fuels Alliance (GRFA) reiterated that biofuels, like ethanol, are presently one of the most commercially viable, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reducing transport fuel alternatives to crude oil in the medium term.

According to the GRFA, it is estimated that 25% to 30% of all global GHG emissions come from the transportation sector.

“Nearly a third of global GHGs come from the transportation sector, those GHGs need to be a priority if we are going to make a significant contribution to combating climate change. Biofuels must be an integral part of that fight,” stated Bliss Baker, spokesperson for the GRFA.

According to the GRFA, biofuels, like ethanol, are proven to reduce harmful GHGs from 40% to 90% compared to fossil fuels around the world. For that reason alone, policies adopted at COP 2014 must include the increased use of biofuels, like ethanol.

Earlier this year the GRFA forecasted that 2014 global ethanol production would reach 90.38 billion litres and its use worldwide would reduce GHG emissions by over 106 million tonnes globally. (ST)2 Consultants Inc., an internationally renowned energy and environmental consulting firm, in partnership with the GRFA produced data which showed that these GHG reductions are equal to removing over 21 million cars off the road annually.

“106 million tonnes is a substantial GHG savings, it’s the same as removing the annual emissions from 14 average-sized coal-fired power plants. However, as the IEA has prescribed recently, more biofuels are needed to further reduce the emissions from the global transport sector,” said Baker.

The IEA’s “Technology Roadmap: Biofuels for Transport”, put together with input from representatives of government, industry, academia and non-governmental organizations, stated that “by 2050, biofuels could provide 27% of total transport fuel” and “the projected use of biofuels could avoid around 2.1 gigatonnes of CO2 emissions per year” and that biofuels “will eventually provide one fifth of emission reductions in the transport sector.”

“It’s clear that today, biofuels like ethanol, are helping combat climate change but to reach their full potential requires enhanced biofuels friendly policies. The outcomes of COP 2014 must be the adoption of policies that increase biofuels use and reduce our reliance on fossil fuels,” concluded Baker.

To learn more about biofuels around the world, visit the new GRFA website at www.globalrfa.org.

About the Global Renewable Fuels Alliance
The Global Renewable Fuels Alliance is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting biofuel-friendly policies internationally. Alliance members represent over 65 percent of the global biofuels production from 44 countries. Through the development of new technologies and best practices, Alliance members are committed to producing renewable fuels with the smallest possible footprint.

For more information, please contact:
Bliss Baker
Global Renewable Fuels Alliance
Work: (Country Code “1”) 416-847-6497
Mobile: 647-309-0058
Email: info@globalrfa.org
Website: www.globalrfa.org