Brazil launches proposal to quadruple use of sustainable fuels
On Tuesday (Oct. 14), during the second and final day of Pre-COP negotiations in Brasília - the preparatory meeting for the 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30) - Brazil launched an initiative called the “Belém Commitment for Sustainable Fuels,” or “Belém 4x,” which aims to join forces to quadruple the production and use of sustainable fuels by 2035.
The text is being negotiated by Brazil with partner countries such as India, Italy, and Japan and will be published in the coming days, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The idea is for it to be endorsed during COP30 in Belém, when heads of state and government will meet to open the conference negotiations, which are set to begin three days later.
The goal of quadrupling sustainable fuel production is based on the International Energy Agency (IEA) report Delivering Sustainable Fuels – Pathways to 2035. The document highlights alternatives such as hydrogen and its derivatives, biofuels, biogases, and synthetic fuels to broaden the use and dissemination of this type of energy.
“Countries like Brazil are well placed to make a contribution beyond their own borders, as we have renewable and diversified energy sources. But it is possible to work together to increase the share of renewables in the global energy matrix. They are key to reducing our dependence on fossil fuels,” said Minister of the Environment and Climate Change Marina Silva, commenting on the initiative led by the Brazilian government.
According to COP30 President, Ambassador André Corrêa do Lago, “it is extremely important to have the world’s most respected energy agency emphasizing the need to quadruple sustainable fuels.”
The goal of quadrupling sustainable fuels complements the targets set at COP28, held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, in 2023, which included tripling global renewable energy production capacity and doubling energy efficiency rates by 2030. At this edition, countries adopted, for the first time, a collective decision to “move away from fossil fuels” while substantially expanding clean and sustainable energy sources, prioritizing generation from solar, wind, hydroelectric, biomass, and geothermal sources.
