GLOBAL BIOFUEL ALLIANCE (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Env & Eco)

Context: Recently, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), pledged to support the nation's green initiatives by creating relevant standards. 

• BIS also revealed that these Indian Standards will align closely with the goals of the Global Biofuel Alliance (GBA), a multilateral forum introduced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the recent G20 leaders’ summit in New Delhi.

Global Biofuel Alliance

• About: It is an initiative by India as the G20 Chair. The Alliance intends to expedite the global uptake of biofuels by facilitating technology advancements, intensifying the utilization of sustainable biofuels, and shaping robust standard setting and certification through the participation of a wide spectrum of stakeholders.
• Aim: To serve as a catalytic platform, fostering global collaboration for the advancement and widespread adoption of biofuels.
• Function: The alliance will also act as a central repository of knowledge and an expert hub.
• Countries involved: India, Singapore, Bangladesh, Italy, USA, Brazil, Argentina, Mauritius and UAE.

Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)

• About: "It is the National Standards Body of India responsible for the harmonious development of standardization, marking, and quality certification activities for goods, along with related matters."
• Establishment: Under the BIS Act 2016
• Headquarters: New Delhi and its 05 
• Regional Offices: Kolkata (Eastern), Chennai (Southern), Mumbai (Western), Chandigarh (Northern) and Delhi (Central)

Biofuels and Types

• About: Any hydrocarbon fuel that is produced from an organic matter(living or once living material) in a short period of time (days, weeks, or even months) is considered a biofuel.
• Examples: Ethanol, biodiesel and biogas.
• Types: 1st,2nd , 3rd and 4th Generation of biofuel depending upon the their source of origin and production process.
• Steps taken in India for biofuels: National Biofuel Policy (2018), Pradhan Mantri JI-VAN Yojana (2019), GOBAR-DHAN (Galvanizing Organic Bio-Agro Resources) scheme,(2018) etc.