Brazil's president signs national biofuels policy into law

January 3, 2018

BY Erin Krueger

Brazilian President Michel Temer has approved legislation creating RenovaBio, a new national biofuels policy. The law was published in the official federal gazette of Brazil on Dec. 26. The Brazilian Senate approved the bill Dec. 12. 

RenovaBio aims to increase the use of all biofuels in Brazil, including ethanol, biodiesel and biomethane, with the aim of increasing energy security and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

A statement released by the Brazilian Ministry of Mines and Energy on Dec. 27 explains that the RenovaBio law provides for the establishment of national emissions reduction targets for the nation’s fuel supply. Targets will to be met annually by fuel distributors. The ministry said that the targets are fundamental to bring predictability to the national fuel supply and will provide better conditions and less uncertainty for private parties to carry out investment planning and analysis. In addition, the ministry indicated RenovaBio will allow the Brazilian fuel sector to comply with the Paris Agreement.

Advertisement

Advertisement

RenovaBio creates a system that allow for the certification of biofuels. The Ministry of Mines and Energy said the objective of the certification is to measure the exact contribution of each biofuel producer to greenhouse gas emissions reductions, in relation to their fossil substitute. The law also creates a decarbonization credit that combines the emissions reduction targets and the life cycle assessment of each biofuel producer. The credits are described as a financial asset that can be traded on a stock exchange. The credits are issued by the biofuel producer following the sale of product. Fuel distributors will meet required targets by acquiring these credits.

Brazil is currently the world’s second largest producer and consumer of biofuels. In 2017, the country produced an estimated 27.7 billion liters (7.32 billion gallons) of ethanol and 4.2 billion liters of biodiesel. The Ministry of Mines and Energy said on a combined basis, biofuels and bioelectricity account for 18 percent of Brazil’s energy mix.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Related Stories

The U.S EPA on July 17 released data showing more than 1.9 billion RINs were generated under the RFS during June, down 11% when compared to the same month of last year. Total RIN generation for the first half of 2025 reached 11.17 billion.

Read More

The U.S. EPA on July 17 published updated small refinery exemption (SRE) data, reporting that six new SRE petitions have been filed under the RFS during the past month. A total of 195 SRE petitions are now pending.

Read More

Avia Solutions Group, the world's largest ACMI (aircraft, crew, maintenance, and insurance) provider, has partnered with DHL Express to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from its international shipments using SAF.

Read More

Bangkok Airways Public Company Limited has officially announced the adoption of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) on its commercial flights, reinforcing Thailand’s green aviation industry. The initiative took effect starting July 1, 2025.

Read More

The USDA has announced it will delay opening the first quarterly grant application window for FY 2026 REAP funding. The agency cited both an application backlog and the need to disincentivize solar projects as reasons for the delay.

Read More

Upcoming Events

Sign up for our e-newsletter!

Advertisement

Advertisement