On Oct. 6, Bliss Baker, the president of the Global Renewable Fuels Alliance, celebrated the passage of the Paris Agreement reached at COP21. The two implementation requirements of the agreement have now been fulfilled; being ratified by at least 55 countries, as well as by countries accounting for 55 percent of global emissions. The agreement will now enter into force on Nov. 4, at which point it becomes binding on the 197 parties to the convention.

“After years of work and multiple UN conferences, the world is finally on the verge of the first enforceable agreement that will begin the transition to a low carbon global economy.” Baker said. “The broad global support for binding action to reduce GHG emissions is a testament to the urgency for action” he added.

It is estimated that the transport sector currently represents 25-30 percent of global emissions while having the lowest renewable energy share of any sector, making it a priority sector for policy action to reduce emissions. 

“Given the scale of the challenge being faced by governments around the world, now is the time to identify the best policy solutions to mobilize every part of society to reduce emissions.” Baker said. “The potential for significantly increasing the use of biofuels in the global transport sector, using the existing fleet of cars and fuel infrastructure, represents exactly the kind of immediately available opportunities to reduce emissions that will be necessary to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement.” he added. “The GRFA looks forward to working with parties to the agreement to develop smart policies that will maximize the emission reductions potential of biofuels use in the transport sector,” he concluded.