Sustainable fuels play a crucial role in clean energy transitions. They complement direct electrification and energy efficiency measures in decarbonising sectors for which emissions are hard to abate, while contributing to energy diversification and security. Under the IEA’s Net Zero Emissions by 2050 (NZE) Scenario, the demand for low-emission fuels such as liquid biofuels, biogases, hydrogen and hydrogen-based fuels would need to double from current levels by 2030 and double again by 2050. Despite their importance, none of the main sustainable fuel options are on track for a net zero pathway.
Accelerated deployment of sustainable fuels depends in part on achieving a common understanding of what makes a fuel “sustainable”. Numerous frameworks and certification schemes for sustainable fuels have been established worldwide. Terms such as “green,” “blue,” or “advanced” are frequently used to describe the sustainability features of fuels and to differentiate them from their unabated fossil counterparts. However, there is no international consensus on the meaning of these terms. Their definitions are inconsistent and, critically, they do not usually provide quantitative information about greenhouse gas emissions.
This report – produced in support of Brazil’s G20 Presidency – explores the feasibility and implications of setting up common criteria to enable fair comparisons of sustainable fuels. It maps commonalities and differences among the standards, regulations and certifications used for sustainable fuels across different regions and markets. It reviews typical carbon intensities and the improvement potential of various fuel production pathways and sets out policy considerations for governments that wish to work toward common criteria for sustainable fuels.
- Pages
- 50
- Published in
- France
Table of Contents
- Towards Common Criteria for Sustainable Fuels 1
- Abstract 3
- Acknowledgements, contributors and credits 4
- Executive summary 5
- Sustainable fuels play a crucial role in clean energy transitions 5
- Supply chain GHG intensity provides a robust basis for a fair and transparent comparison 6
- Policies should reward better GHG performance and drive continuous improvement over time 7
- Common policies and international collaboration are key to attract investment 8
- Chapter 1. Introduction 10
- Chapter 2. Carbon accounting: Standards, regulations and certification systems 14
- System boundary for fuel supply chains 14
- Overview of existing frameworks and schemes 17
- Biofuels 17
- Hydrogen and hydrogen-based fuels 19
- Chapter 3. GHG emission drivers and improvement potential 26
- Emission drivers of biofuels 26
- Emission drivers of hydrogen and hydrogen-based fuels 27
- GHG intensities and improvement potential 28
- Biofuels 28
- Hydrogen 31
- Hydrogen-based fuels 34
- Non-GHG impacts 36
- Chapter 4. Conclusions and policy considerations 40
- Towards common criteria 40
- Policy principles 41
- Developing a common GHG intensity label 42
- Addressing fuel pathway-specific factors in the early phase of the transition 44
- Possible next steps 46
- Annex 47
- Abbreviations and acronyms 47
- Glossary 47