Indian Prime Minister announces the creation of the Global Biofuels Alliance, an initiative aimed at uniting governments, international organizations, and industry to promote the use of biofuels. This alliance includes 19 countries and 12 international organizations, with India, Brazil, and the US as founding members. The initiative seeks to intensify the use of sustainable biofuels, focusing on market development, global trade facilitation, policy sharing, and technical support for national biofuels programs. It will also promote capacity-building, internationally recognized standards, and the development of biofuels without harming natural resources.
Facts/Terms for UPSC Prelims
- Biofuel: Biofuel is a fuel produced from biomass, such as agricultural crops, forest waste, and algae, rather than through the slow natural processes involved in fossil fuel formation. It’s considered more sustainable and environmentally friendly.
- First Generation Biofuel: First-generation biofuels are derived from consumable food items containing starch (e.g., rice and wheat) or sugar (e.g., sugarcane) for bioalcohols and vegetable oils for biodiesel.
- Second Generation Biofuel: Second-generation biofuels are primarily obtained from non-food feedstocks like agricultural, industrial, and forest wastes, as well as waste vegetable oils. They are more sustainable than first-generation biofuels.
- Third Generation Biofuel: Known as ‘algae fuel,’ third-generation biofuels are derived from algae, providing both biodiesel and bioalcohols. They offer a promising source of sustainable bioenergy.
- Fourth Generation Biofuel: Fourth-generation biofuels, like the third generation, are produced on non-arable land but without the need for biomass destruction. They represent an environmentally conscious approach to biofuel production.