A recent report by the International Energy Agency (IEA) on Delivering Sustainable Fuels: Pathways to 2035 highlights the benefits to the energy sector and to wider economic and environmental sustainability. Liquid biofuels, biogases, low-emissions hydrogen and hydrogen-based fuels enable and support the energy transition. They are particularly important for sectors like aviation, shipping, road haulage and certain types of industry, while also enhancing energy security. The IEA report notes the need for:
- targeted policies to bridge the cost gap with conventional fuels
- innovation to expand production potential
- robust mutually-agreed carbon accounting methodologies
- long-term- infrastructure investment
- accessible financing, especially in emerging and developing economies
Dr Mark Walker, who leads EBNet’s AD WG, said: “Sustainable and/or low carbon fuels can be produced in various ways, including microbially-mediated routes using waste feedstocks, or as a by-product of waste treatment processes. For any meaningful comparison of the sustainability of these options, it’s critical that a life-cycle approach is taken; and also that there is comprehensive and transparent reporting of the underlying data sources, assumptions and modelling decisions involved”. Dr Walker is also lead author on a recently-released study of CO2 biomethanisation as a decarbonisation tool, jointly supported by EBNet and our sister NIBB the Carbon Recycling Network.
For more information and to download the IEA report see HERE, and for an IEA Blog post on the report see HERE.
