Global Biofuels Output Could Surge 70% Amid Energy Crisis
Global biofuels production is projected to surge by nearly 70% by 2030 as major producing countries raise their fuel-blending mandates in response to the energy crisis triggered by the Middle East conflict, a study co-authored by British think tank Chatham House and Forest Stewardship Council has found. Biofuels like ethanol, which typically originate from food crops or animal feed and are mixed…
A study by Chatham House and the Forest Stewardship Council predicts that global biofuels output could increase by nearly 70% by 2030 in response to the energy crisis stemming from the Middle East conflict. Governments worldwide, including the U.S., EU, Brazil, India, and Indonesia, are raising biofuel blending mandates. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has set the highest renewable fuel volume mandates in its 20-year history, with biomass-based diesel requirements rising to 5.4 billion gallons in 2026 and 5.7 billion gallons in 2027.
The EU aims to achieve a 29% share of renewable energy in transport by 2030, with proposals to increase eligible volumes for crop-based biofuels. Brazil has increased the mandatory ethanol content in gasoline to 32% and banned biodiesel imports. Indonesia has introduced a mandatory B50 biodiesel program, blending 50% palm-oil into conventional diesel.
The rapid increase in biofuel use could double the land area required to grow feedstocks globally, potentially harming food security.
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