India Brazil Partnership
India and Brazil have a long partnership history in the field of biofuel blending, built on shared interests in renewable energy and sustainable development. Brazil, a global leader in ethanol production and flex-fuel vehicle adoption, has long served as a model for India’s biofuel strategy. The cooperation between the two countries began to deepen in the early 2000s, with Brazil offering technical expertise, policy guidance, and best practices to support India's Ethanol Blending Programme (EBP). A significant milestone was the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Bioenergy Cooperation, signed in 2008, which laid the foundation for bilateral collaboration in biofuels, especially ethanol. Under this agreement, both countries agreed to cooperate in areas such as technology exchange, research and development, feedstock management, and sustainable practices in ethanol production. hello I am shubham verma
The partnership gained renewed momentum with the India-Brazil Joint Statement on Energy Cooperation issued during the state visit of Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro to India in January 2020. The two countries committed to advancing cooperation in ethanol blending, flex-fuel vehicle deployment, and policy harmonization, aligning with India’s National Bio-Energy Policy and Ethanol Blending Programme (EBP), which targets 20% ethanol blending (E20) by 2025-26. Additionally, the Strategic Partnership Action Plan (2020-2024) between India and Brazil includes bioenergy as a key area for collaboration.
In 2022, SIAM and UNICA signed a MoU to create a centre of excellence portal for the promotion of ethanol and its blends in the automotive sector.
In recent years, there have been growing industry-to-industry engagements and ministerial-level dialogues between India’s Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG) and Brazil’s Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME), focusing on 2G ethanol technologies, investment facilitation, and regulatory framework development. India’s flex-fuel vehicle roadmap has also been inspired in part by Brazil’s successful flex-fuel model, which has been operational since the early 2000s.
This deepening bioenergy partnership is not only accelerating India’s transition toward a low-carbon economy but also reinforcing global cooperation in the pursuit of clean and sustainable energy solutions.
Global Biofuel Alliance
Figure 2: Launch Of GBA On The Sidelines Of G20 Meet In India In 2023
Global Biofuels Alliance (GBA) is a multi-stake holder alliance of Governments, International Organizations and Industries, an initiative by India as the G20 Chair bringing together the biggest consumers and producers of biofuels.
It intends to expedite the global uptake of biofuel through
- Capacity building across the biofuel value chain
- Promote technological development and policy lesson sharing
- Developing standards and certification mechanisms
The initiative aims to generate growth opportunities for biofuel sector in India through technical know-how sharing. It further aims to position biofuels as a key sustainable solution for the countries of global South
Figure 3: Key Milestones under the Global Biofuel Alliance
Industry’s Role & Contributions
UNICA
On October 8, 2024 Brazil enacted the “Fuels of the Future” law to encourage the development of new sustainable technologies, driving economic growth while mitigating shubham environmental impact.
Key Aspects of the “Fuels of the Future” Law
The law introduces several programs aimed at transforming Brazil’s energy landscape:
- National Sustainable Aviation Fuel Program (ProBioQAV): Starting in 2027, the aviation industry will be required to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by using sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). This mandate begins with a 1% reduction, progressively increasing to 10% by 2037.
- National Green Diesel Program (PNDV): Green diesel, produced from renewable sources like plant-based oils, animal fats, and biomass, will be blended with traditional diesel. The National Energy Policy Council will determine annual minimum blending volumes, aiming to reduce emissions from heavy-duty vehicles.
- Biomethane and Biogas Program: This program encourages the production and use of biomethane, particularly in urban mobility and heavy transport. By 2026, it aims to reduce emissions by 1%, with an eventual target of 10%.
- Increased Ethanol and Biodiesel Blends: The ethanol content in gasoline will now range from 22% to 27%, potentially reaching up to 35%. For biodiesel, the blending percentage will gradually increase from the current 14% to 20% by 2030.
SIAM
The Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), under the guidance of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, has been actively supporting the Ethanol Blending Programme in India. In January 2023, SIAM launched 'जैविक पहल' (Bio-Initiative) as a key pillar of its sustainable mobility agenda. The initiative was launched in the presence of Shri Hardeep Singh Puri, Hon’ble Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Government of India.
As part of its commitment to promoting a biofuel-based economy, SIAM organizes flagship national and international events focused on advancing the adoption and awareness of biofuels across the country.
World Biofuel Day
Under its 'जैविक पहल' (Bio-Initiative), the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), on the occasion of observance of World Biofuel Day is organizing International Conference every year during the month of August since 2022. These conferences provided a platform for industry experts and stakeholders to discuss and explore ways to drive sustainable practices in the automotive sector through the adoption of biofuels.
In 2022, the first edition of the conference was held (on10th Aug, 2022) with the theme” Promotion of Biofuels: A Pathway for Low Carbon Mobility“, the challenges and opportunities for adoption of Biofuels in India and the Roadmap for the adoption of Biofuels in India were the major pointers, deliberated and discussed.
In 2023, the second edition of the conference was held with the theme "Fuelling the Future towards Sustainability”. The conference aimed to share knowledge and experiences about making the automotive industry more sustainable through biofuels. It witnessed deliberations around various aspects of biofuel, including biofuel production, use, biofuel policies in India and global initiatives, along with innovative technologies. .
Subsequently, during the year 2024, the third edition of the conference was held with the theme "ऊर्जा क्रांति, उर्जित स्वराज – The Biofuel Revolution in India: Fueling Tomorrow."Various aspects of biofuel, including biofuel production, use, biofuel policies in India and global initiatives, along with innovative technologies were discussed during the conference
This landmark event serves as a premier platform to deliberate on the pivotal role of biofuels in India’s sustainable energy transition. The conference also explores the broader implications of biofuel adoption for the global automotive ecosystem.
Decarbonization Pavilion
As a testament to the government's vision of becoming a net zero country by 2050 and the automotive industry's commitment to sustainable mobility, SIAM organizes the Decarbonization Pavilion at Auto Expo – The Motor Show. This platform showcases cutting-edge advancements in alternate fuel technologies, reinforcing India’s progress toward a greener and more sustainable future.
In January 2025, SIAM organized the last edition along the lines of Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025 in New Delhi. The thematic elements of the pavilion were thoughtfully designed to align with the overarching theme, “People-Centric Mobility Ecosystem,” highlighting technological advancements and their significance for the public.
Informative panels were strategically placed to educate visitors on the critical need for decarbonization, India’s climate action plan - Panchamrit, and the range of available alternative fuel solutions, including xEVs, biofuels, natural gas (CNG, CBG, and LNG), and green hydrogen. The curated storylines effectively conveyed the impact of these innovations on individuals and provided actionable insights on how they can contribute to the nation’s decarbonization efforts.
Also, the pavilion displayed latest technology advancements by SIAM OEM Members through exhibition of electric vehicles (BEVs), flex fuel vehicles, and flex fuel hybrid vehicle, and CBG Operated vehicle.
One of the key highlights of the pavilion include display of information on different fuels – petrol, diesel, CNG, electric vehicles, green hydrogen and biofuels around the central installation and a working model of CBG plant.
International Symposium for Thriving Eco-Energy in Mobility (ISTEM)
SIAM actively advocates for adoption of low emissions fuels in a bid to support the decarbonization of the automotive industry in India and has engaged with different ministries and think tanks to promote adoption of gas-based fuels and biofuels. It regularly organises events and initiatives to foster dialogue around the challenges and road ahead for the same. SIAM has launched dedicated workstreams - गैस गतिशीलता (Gas Based Mobility), जैविक पहल (Bio-Initiative) and हरित हाइड्रोजन (Green Hydrogen) to focus on the proliferation of low carbon fuels that would power vehicles across the segments.
Following the success of the first two editions of ISTEM – first at Auto Expo - The Motor Show 2023 and second at Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2024, third edition was planned under the theme “Decarbonization Roadmap: Towards a Carbon-Neutral Future” on 21st January 2025. The event aimed to focus on current challenges around development and adoption of biofuels, natural gas and green hydrogen-based mobility solutions in the country.
ISTEM provides a platform for stakeholders from different domains of the automotive industry like government, OEMs, OMCs, technology providers and other ecosystem players to discuss the decarbonization journey in India and catalyse meaningful dialogue and actionable solutions for sustainable future.