Brazil seeks to increase biodiesel blend in regular fuel

The Brazilian government wants to increase the share of biodiesel in mineral diesel in order to hit the country’s greenhouse gas reduction targets.

Ricardo Dornelles, the head of the Energy Ministry’s biofuels department, made the announcement while talking at the International Biodiesel Conference in Sao Paulo.

The measure is part of the proposals Brazil's intends to put forth at the Paris climate talks this December.

According to Dornelles, the Ministry of the Environment is now working to determine what the new blending requirement would be.

In addition to increasing the biodiesel blend, there are also plans to increase the use of bioenergy sources such as second-generation ethanol for vehicles, and biomass to generate electricity.

Dornelles also says biodiesel may benefit parties other than just the biofuels production chain.

According to him, they will also reduce Brazil’s healthcare bill due to fewer people developing health conditions from air pollution caused by fossil fuels.