Environmental Groups Urge IMO to Reject Biofuels in Shipping
As the International Maritime Organization (IMO) gears up for crucial negotiations on greenhouse gas emissions in international shipping, environmental and Indigenous rights organizations are raising concerns about the potential inclusion of biofuels in the sector’s decarbonization strategy. Groups such as Biofuelwatch, the Global Forest Coalition, and the AbibiNsroma Foundation are advocating for the exclusion of biofuels from the IMO’s Global Fuel Standard, urging a commitment to cleaner energy alternatives and demand reduction measures.
Biofuels: A Threat to Sustainability
Environmental advocates argue that biofuels, particularly those derived from crops like palm oil and soy, pose significant risks to ecosystems and human rights. Almuth Ernsting from Biofuelwatch emphasizes that any increase in biofuel demand can lead to the expansion of agricultural land, often at the expense of forests and natural habitats. This shift can also disrupt food production, driving up prices and threatening food security.
The large-scale production of biofuels has been linked to deforestation and biodiversity loss. Safrudin Mahendra, Director of Yayasan Insan Hutan Indonesia, highlights the devastating consequences of biofuel expansion in Indonesia, where it has led to widespread environmental degradation and violations of Indigenous rights. He calls for the IMO to prioritize sustainable energy solutions that respect both people and the planet.
Moreover, the so-called “second-generation” biofuels, which are produced from waste materials, are not available in sufficient quantities to meet the demands of the shipping industry. Critics argue that relying on biofuels could divert attention and resources away from genuinely clean energy solutions, such as wind-assisted propulsion and electrification.
Concerns Over Fraud and Environmental Impact
The biofuel industry is also facing scrutiny over potential fraud. Reports indicate that the price of used cooking oil (UCO) has often exceeded that of virgin palm oil, creating incentives for mislabeling and fraudulent practices, particularly in Southeast Asia. Yusmadi Yusuf, Director of the Aceh Wetland Foundation, warns that promoting palm oil biodiesel could exacerbate deforestation in protected areas, with over 60,000 hectares of peat forest in Aceh already converted to oil palm plantations.
Conservation NGOs, Indigenous organizations, and some shipping companies have voiced their opposition to biofuels, urging the IMO to reconsider its approach. Kenneth Nana Amoateng from the AbibiNsroma Foundation asserts that including biofuels in the decarbonization strategy contradicts the IMO’s commitments to climate action and sustainability. As the organization prepares for its upcoming meetings, these groups are calling for decisive action against biofuels, advocating for a future powered by truly clean energy solutions that do not compromise forests, communities, or global food security.
Source: Biofuelwatch
