Energy transition must recognize tropical low-carbon solutions
Even without billion-dollar subsidies, Brazil outperforms major powers in climate performance in mobility, driven by bioenergy integrated with agribusiness
The Bioeconomy Observatory of Fundação Getulio Vargas (FGV) releases a groundbreaking study analyzing the effectiveness of tropical bioenergy in the global energy transition and the distortions caused by international policies that, under the guise of sustainability, end up favoring selected technologies over more effective alternatives for emission reductions.
The report, titled "Tropical bioenergy and the dilemmas of the energy transition: technological neutrality and global valuation of national solutions," warns of the risks of an asymmetrically driven transition marked by climate barriers that could penalize low-carbon solutions developed by tropical countries. The study argues that climate and energy policies must be guided by technological neutrality and the evaluation of the effective climate performance of different decarbonization pathways—not by geopolitical, technological, or regional preferences.
"The energy transition needs to be guided by performance, not by preferences. Brazil demonstrates that it is possible to utilize local solutions to reduce emissions on a large scale with economic sustainability, social inclusion, and local innovation," summarizes Luciano Rodrigues, research coordinator.
Mobility: tropical efficiency exceeds global powers
The report takes vehicle mobility as an example and highlights how tropical solutions can be effective, accessible, and scalable in decarbonization.
Based on Life Cycle Analysis (LCA)—which considers emissions from vehicle and fuel production to usage and disposal—the study shows that new vehicles sold in Brazil emit, on average, 31% less CO₂ per kilometer than those in the European Union, 34% less than those in the United States, and 42% below the Chinese average.
A hydrated ethanol vehicle (E100) emits about 85 gCO₂e/km, a value nearly three times lower than that of gasoline vehicles in developed markets, whose averages range from 232 to 241 gCO₂e/km. Even flex-fuel models (E50)—fueled with half ethanol and half gasoline—maintain an advantage of 60 to 70 gCO₂e/km over international averages.
For hybrids (HEVs), Brazilian performance is even more impressive: a hybrid powered exclusively by ethanol (E100 HEV) emits only 79 gCO₂e/km, surpassing pure electric vehicles (BEVs) in the markets of Europe, the U.S., and China, where emissions range from 128 to 233 gCO₂e/km when including the footprints of battery production and disposal.
"Sustainable biofuel and electrification deliver immediate efficiency with competitive costs, existing supply networks, and low climate impact. It is a tropical solution with global results," adds Rodrigues.
Share of different classes of new vehicles in sales in 2024 and average GHG emissions (sales in % and emissions in g CO2 eq./km)
Distortions and barriers in global policies
The analysis challenges recurring narratives, such as the supposed "food versus fuel" dilemma—according to which the production of biofuels competes with food production. Data show that this hypothesis does not hold: bioenergy has contributed to generating jobs and income, elevating agricultural productivity, and strengthening food security, provided it is produced sustainably.
Another sensitive point is the application of so-called indirect land use change (iLUC) factors with generic parameters and without scientific consensus that disproportionately penalize biofuels. The study notes that these criteria are rarely applied to other energy sources that also alter land use and do not reflect the specificities of the Brazilian model, such as the use of second-crop corn and the recovery of degraded pastures.
In the European Union, recent policies impose strict limits on the use of agricultural biofuels and apply multiplication factors that artificially increase the weight of electricity and synthetic fuels in renewable energy targets. The ReFuelEU itself excludes conventional biofuels from the definition of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). In the United States, Brazilian corn ethanol is treated the same as American ethanol, imposing penalties based on indirect emissions that do not reflect the tropical reality.
"Although Brazil's results are concrete and verifiable, biofuels are still viewed with suspicion by some countries. There is bias and an absence of objective criteria in defining what is ‘green’ or ‘clean’," emphasizes Rodrigues.
Technological neutrality and energy integration
The study recommends that technological neutrality be adopted as a guiding principle of decarbonization policies, ensuring equitable conditions of recognition and incentive for all pathways that demonstrate measurable and scientifically proven climate efficiency.
For Brazil, the authors propose strengthening structural programs such as RenovaBio, sustainable mobility policies, the biogas program, and the development of the market for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), ensuring regulatory predictability and eliminating fiscal distortions that favor technologies without proof of lower carbon intensity.
The importance of integrating bioenergy and electrification in mobility is also emphasized, creating a hybrid decarbonization model capable of uniting efficient combustion engines and complementary electric traction.
Climate diplomacy and the leadership of the Global South
The authors highlight that Brazil must strengthen its international role to reposition tropical solutions in the global climate agenda. This movement involves coordinated diplomatic action with emerging countries to harmonize criteria for recognizing sustainable biofuels and consolidate bioenergy as a legitimate tool for decarbonization.
The study emphasizes that Brazil should play an active leadership role in multilateral forums, advocating for metrics based on real emission performance rather than technological preferences. This strategy should be accompanied by knowledge generation regarding Brazilian systems and structured international communication, supported by comparative data, verifiable life cycle analyses, and scientific evidence.
Performance, equity, and recognition
With over 60% of the country's renewable energy deriving from bioenergy and nearly 30% of the internal energy supply connected to agribusiness, Brazil is already a green power, although not always recognized as such.
The report concludes that the global energy transition will only be fair and effective if it acknowledges the diversity of pathways. It is not about choosing a technology, but about measuring results fairly, transparently, and comparably.
Check the complete study by clicking here.
Confira o estudo completo clicando aqui.
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