How is Brazil Leading the Global Bioenergy Transition?

According to the International Energy Agency, bioenergy is the largest source of renewable energy globally, accounting for almost 55% of the total.

The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)’s 1.5°C Scenario claims that keeping global temperature rise to within 1.5°C of pre-industrial levels in line with the Paris Agreement will not happen without sustainable biomass and biofuels. Brazil has emerged as a global leader in advancing this change in the bioenergy sector.

Bioenergy, defined by the IEA as a source of energy from organic plant material known as biomass, offers solutions for decarbonising the global energy industry and can help support the transition to cleaner alternatives.

Transport is a major sector for growth in this field. According to IRENA, bioenergy consumption in transport will need to grow by 300% between 2020 and 2050.

Brazil's bioenergy sector and land use

Brazil is one of the key countries leading the global transition to renewable energy. In 2024, nearly 33% of its primary energy production came from bioenergy from sources such as sugarcane, firewood, corn and soybeans.

This has had a particular impact on the transport sector, where bioenergy accounted for 25.7% of total energy consumption in Brazil, compared to a global average of 3.9%.

Bioenergy production has the potential to compete with food production for land, meaning Brazil has to balance needs for conservation and agricultural expansion.

The country has kept 64% of its territory covered in natural vegetation, primarily forest land. Around 30% of its land is used for agriculture and livestock, with national policies and environmental legislation in place to conserve natural resources and promote sustainable farming practices.

Ethanol production and national policy

Brazil is the second-largest producer of ethanol in the world, after the US. Ethanol is most notably used in combustion engines and turbines and can be utilised with existing infrastructure.

Sugarcane accounts for 70% of Brazil’s ethanol production, with the remainder being produced using corn.

Francesco La Camera, Director-General of IRENA, says: “Brazil’s experience in the development of sustainable biofuels represents a valuable example of how innovation, policy design and long-term vision can [advance] the decarbonisation of the energy sector. It offers key insights and a compelling model for countries seeking to advance their own energy transitions while fostering economic growth and social inclusion.”

Policy supports this direction. The National Energy Transition Policy (PNTE) was launched in 2024 and aims to restructure the Brazilian energy sector to make it more sustainable.

It is designed to direct government and stakeholder efforts towards a low-carbon energy structure, working towards the national goal of net greenhouse gas emissions neutrality by 2050.

The future of fuel and global cooperation

Brazil also established the Fuel of the Future Law in 2024, which aims to promote sustainable fuels and fuel technologies in the transport sector.

The law’s goal is to enhance environmental and energy efficiency in the fuel life cycle by integrating various biofuels and fostering innovation.

It proposes increasing the mandatory ethanol blend in gasoline, regulating synthetic fuels and creating a carbon capture and storage framework.

Brazil’s biofuels industry could show that effective governance is needed to maximise opportunities and minimise potential negative impacts of bioenergy expansion, such as the risks associated with land use, food security and ecosystems.

The country’s experience suggests that gradual implementation of fuel policies is most effective, with frequent evaluations. It also acknowledges the importance of multilateral efforts and international cooperation.

As it comes up to COP30, Brazil has announced its Belém 4x pledge, which aims to quadruple the global production and use of sustainable fuels by 2035.

“The Brazilian experience highlights the crucial need for strategies and clear policy frameworks that enhance sustainability, reduce investment risks and foster innovation,” Francesco says.

He said: “Through shared learning, coordinated action and collective ambition, we can accelerate the deployment of sustainable solutions; to this end, the Brazilian experience may inspire policy makers to translate ambition into tangible progress.”