Key Terms & Concepts — UPSC Mains
Global Biofuel Alliance
"An India-led international coalition of governments, industries and organisations to accelerate the global adoption of sustainable biofuels"
The Global Biofuel Alliance (GBA) is a multi-stakeholder platform launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 9 September 2023 on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in New Delhi. Founded by India, the United States and Brazil, it brings together the biggest producers and consumers of biofuels to facilitate technology transfer, capacity building, trade and internationally recognised standards for fuels such as ethanol and biodiesel. It is often described as a biofuels counterpart to the International Solar Alliance in India's clean-energy diplomacy.
Relevant for GS2 (India's role in international groupings, bilateral and multilateral diplomacy) and GS3 (energy security, ethanol blending, decarbonising transport). The GBA supports India's push for 20% ethanol blending in petrol and strengthens its leadership in the Global South clean-energy space. By 2026 membership had expanded to 24 member countries and 12 international organisations.
- 1 Launched 9 September 2023 at the G20 New Delhi Summit as a Chair's initiative
- 2 Founding members include India, the United States, Brazil, Argentina, Bangladesh, Italy, Mauritius, South Africa and the UAE
- 3 Expanded to 24 member countries and 12 international organisations by 2026
- 4 Aims to promote biofuel trade, technical support for national programmes and global standards and codes
- 5 Complements India's ethanol blending programme (target of 20% ethanol in petrol, largely achieved ahead of 2025-26)
- 6 Positioned as a biofuel parallel to the International Solar Alliance in India's energy diplomacy
- 7 Supports circular economy goals by using agricultural residue and waste for fuel
By 2026 the Global Biofuel Alliance had grown to 24 member countries and 12 international organisations, reinforcing India's clean-energy diplomacy as it advanced beyond 20% ethanol blending in petrol.
