More than 25% of fuel could be biofuels by 2050

New research has estimated 27% of fuel could come from biofuels by 2050, a rough increase from about 55 million tonnes to 750 million tonnes within the space of four decades.

A report, released by the International Energy Agency (IEA), says biofuels can help to reduce CO₂ emissions in the transport sector and increase energy security, if produced sustainably.

Currently the global share of biofuels in transport fuel only amounts to 2% of the world’s fuel total.

‘While vehicle efficiency will be the most important and most cost-efficient way to reduce transport-emissions, biofuels will still be needed to provide low-carbon fuel alternatives for planes, marine vessels and other heavy transport modes, and will eventually provide one fifth (2.1 gigatonnes of CO₂) of emission reductions in the transport sector,’ says Bo Diczfalusy, the IEA’s director of sustainable energy policy and technology.

However, Diczfalusy also believes that more research into advanced biofuels and a better demonstration of the technology was needed in order to improve conversion efficiencies and reduce costs.

‘In addition, investments in commercial-scale production units will be a key to enable advanced biofuels to reach full market maturity,’ adds Diczfalusy. ‘Government action is needed to provide a stable, long-term policy framework for biofuels that allows for sustained investments in biofuel expansion. Specific support measures that address the high investment risk currently associated with pre-commercial advanced biofuel technologies will be vital to trigger industry investments in first commercial plants.’