Fuel of the Future Law: Brazil takes the lead in the energy transition

10/16/2024

Fuel of the Future

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva enacted the Fuel of the Future Law on October 8, which represents a new milestone for the Brazilian bioenergy sector and underpins Brazil’s path towards sustainable development and a cleaner energy matrix. The law creates a new legal framework for the biofuel sector and recognizes its important role in the energy transition. It aims to promote the production of biofuels in the country, including ethanol, biomethane and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). It provides for an increase in the ethanol blend in gasoline, setting the volume at 27%, with the possibility of reaching 35%. This is also a very important measure for sustainable mobility with a reduction in CO2 emissions.

One of the most innovative aspects of the new law is the life cycle assessment, which measures the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions per kilometer driven. The law also provides for the creation of a National Sustainable Aviation Fuel Program (ProBioQAV) and the National Program for Decarbonization of Natural Gas Producers and Importers and Biomethane Incentives. In addition to establishing the regulatory framework for carbon capture and storage, Brazil is expected to avoid the emission of 705 million tons of CO2 by 2037.

The enact ceremony took place at Brasilia Air Force Base and was attended by representatives of the energy and agricultural industries, politicians, ministers and other key stakeholders. According to President Lula, this law demonstrates Brazil’s great potential to lead the way in the energy transition.

The CEO of the Brazilian Sugarcane Energy Association (UNICA), Mr. Evandro Gussi, highlighted the importance of this law in his speech: “I want to greet President Lula and congratulate him on this historic moment we are experiencing. We can say that today the future of sustainable mobility has arrived and it is Brazil that is leading this process. But the future never comes alone, nor does it come by inertia or randomly. The future comes through the construction done by human hands. And the Fuel of the Future Bill will transform this sector.”

“We are planting a new seed. The seed of the fuel of the future. It will generate over BRL 260 billion in investments in agribusiness and the biofuel chain. The fuel of the future places Brazil at the forefront of the new economy, the green economy”, added the Minister of Mines and Energy, Mr. Alexandre Silveira, who also attended the event.

The Fuel of the Future Law is part of Brazil’s strategy to promote sustainable development and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by reducing the carbon intensity of Brazil’s transportation matrix. This law complements and brings together other policies such as the Brazilian National Biofuel Policy (RenovaBio), Green Mobility and Innovation (Mover) and the Motor Vehicles Air Pollution Control Program (Proconve).

 

 

 

 

Rachel Ragoni