TORONTO — Today, as the 8th Annual World Future Energy Summit (WFES) begins in Abu Dhabi, the Global Renewable Fuels Alliance (GRFA) repeated its call for participants to bring biofuels to the top of the sustainability, economic and climate change agenda. As the flagship event of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, the World Future Energy Summit is one of the largest gatherings on future energy, attracting upwards of 30,000 delegates from 170 different countries, and representing expertise from industry, technology, finance and government. "The economic, environmental, agricultural and social success story of biofuels is a natural fit for the World Futures Energy Summit's series of panels and presentations and throughout the events as part of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week," stated Bliss Baker, spokesperson for the GRFA. "We need attendees to demand the inclusion of biofuels in this conversation because they create much needed rural jobs, significantly curb green house gas emissions, reduce our reliance on crude oil, and encourage energy diversity — all stated priorities of the Summit" concluded Baker. According to the GRFA, global biofuels production is making a significant contribution to the global economy, having contributed $277.3 billion and supported nearly 1.4 million jobs in all sectors of the global economy in 2010. By 2020 the global biofuel industry is forecasted to grow to support over 2.2 million jobs in all sectors of the global economy. Additionally, the International Energy Agency's Tracking Clean Energy Progress 2013 report stated that biofuels will have to play an increased role in order to reduce Green House Gases (GHG) as part of their Climate Change Scenario by 2020. According to the GRFA, an estimated 85 billion litres of ethanol were produced in 2014, which is estimated to have reduced GHG emissions by over 106 million tonnes, the equivalent of removing 21 million cars off the road. "How are biofuels not included as part of the conversation when last year's global ethanol production alone reduced GHG emissions equal to removing all the cars registered in Malaysia off the road," added Baker. "It's clear, that with all the positive economic and environmental benefits of biofuels, attendees of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week's events must demand that biofuels be brought to the table," concluded Baker. The Global Renewable Fuels Alliance is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting biofuel friendly policies internationally. Alliance members represent over 65% of the global biofuels production from 44 countries. Through the development of new technologies and best practices, Alliance members are committed to producing renewable fuels with the smallest possible footprint.
