Brazil – CONAFER ESG: CNPE working group strengthens agribusiness in biofuel production
The National Energy Policy Council (CNPE) approved, this Tuesday (18/2), the creation of a Working Group to expand the diversity of raw materials and strengthen the inclusion of family farmers in the production of biofuels.
Tiago Lopes, vice president of CONAFER, in an interview with the Agrotarde program on the Agro+ channel, broadcast by Band TV, stated that
With this resolution by the CNPE and the creation of the working group that includes family farmers, we, as leaders and entities that defend family farming, will organize ourselves with the grassroots unions, federations in the states of the North, Northeast and semi-arid regions, so that this production leaves its artisanal scope and moves to an industrial scope, thus being able to serve the market.
The purpose of the resolution of the National Energy Policy Council (CNPE) is to develop guidelines and regulatory proposals that encourage sustainability and growth in the sector, promoting greater regional development and social inclusion in the biodiesel production chain. The CNPE is chaired by the Minister of Mines and Energy, and is an advisory body to the President of the Republic for the formulation of energy policies and guidelines.
Tiago Lopes, vice-president of CONAFER, in an interview with the Agrotarde program on the Agro+ channel, broadcast by Band TV, spoke about the importance of the GT created by CNPE, National Council for Energy Policy
According to CONAFER vice-president Tiago Lopes,
With this decision by the CNPE to include new oilseeds, such as palm, macauba and other products from family farming, in the composition, our grassroots unions, federations from the North and Northeast, as soon as they heard the news, began contacting us. And now we are waiting for the new resolutions to be able to continue and support these family farmers.
“The policy for creating biofuel is still very archaic. Therefore, few family farmers are able to organize their production to reach levels that can be taken to industry and, thus, produce on a large scale. But with this diversification of products and areas, we can organize ourselves and increase mechanized production through the Family Farming Harvest Plan. And, thus, these farmers can increase production on an industrial scale.”
The oil extracted from castor beans, in addition to the production of biofuel, is also used in the manufacture of cosmetics, paints, varnishes, lubricants, protectors, insulators and foams.
We know that biofuel production is a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels. After all, biofuels are derived from renewable resources, such as sugarcane, corn and vegetable oils. According to Tiago Lopes,
Today this production comes from large soybean producers, large commodities, products that are produced on a large scale.
“So, with this diversification, products that are currently on the properties of small farmers and family farmers will be included. These are products that are closer to the reality of family farmers. There is palm oil, castor oil and macauba oil, which are products that come from family farming for the most part, all of which have very small and artisanal production”.
In times of seeking sustainable solutions in relation to fossil fuels, biofuels must further increase their share in the national energy matrix
For the Minister of Mines and Energy, Alexandre Silveira, the initiative reinforces the government’s commitment to energy security and sustainable development: “Brazil is already a world leader in biofuels, and this new working group will help make our matrix even more diversified, competitive and socially fair. The inclusion of family farmers and small producers in biodiesel production is essential to generate jobs and distribute income throughout the country,” he said. The WG will be coordinated by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAPA) and will have the technical support of the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa) and the Energy Research Company (EPE), institutions recognized for their expertise in innovation and development in the agroenergy sector.
The initiative comes at a strategic time, following the enactment of the Fuel of the Future Law, which strengthens the decarbonization of the transportation sector and encourages new investments in the energy transition. The diversification of raw materials will be essential to increase the production of biofuels and reduce dependence on specific inputs, promoting greater stability and sustainability for the market.
Brazil is a global leader in the agroenergy segment, with a biofuels sector that stands out for its ability to promote clean energy, generate jobs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The recent enactment of the Fuel of the Future Law established a regulatory framework that will stimulate new investments and increase the production and use of biofuels in the country. The Working Group will have a period of 12 months to present its conclusions to the CNPE, which may be extended if necessary.
Biofuels
One of the major debates about global warming is the use of non-renewable energy sources, such as oil, coal and natural gas, and their relationship with the degradation of the ozone layer. Because they are more sustainable than fossilized materials, biofuels are emerging as a good option to meet the energy demands of the modern world. Green fuels are alternative energy sources that can be extracted from various raw materials, such as sugar cane, castor oil, corn, beetroot and even agro-industrial waste, such as vegetable oil or urban waste.
They are considered environmentally friendly because, in addition to their diverse extraction methods, they have low levels of CO2 emissions into the atmosphere: plants absorb carbon dioxide during their growth cycle, acting as a counterbalance to the emissions generated during burning. The transformation of agricultural biomass waste into a source of energy in the production of biofuels also plays an important role in reducing the planet’s waste. They are also biodegradable and safe to handle and store, overcoming the risks associated with fossil fuel spills.
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Brazil – CONAFER ESG: CNPE working group strengthens agribusiness in biofuel production, source
