At a key meeting at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol joined forces with Brazil’s Minister of Mines and Energy, and India’s Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas.
The meeting highlighted the energy and climate priorities of Brazil and India during their respective G20 presidencies, a role that Brazil is due to assume in 2024 after India in 2023.
Throughout India’s presidency, the IEA has played a crucial role in providing expert advice on a range of fronts, including renewable energy, energy efficiency and innovative initiatives such as India’s Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE) programme. As Brazil begins its Presidency, the focus is on collaboration in areas such as energy access and clean energy production, with an emphasis on equitable and inclusive energy transitions.
The development and promotion of biofuels, a sector in which India and Brazil are emerging as world leaders, is a shared priority for both countries during their G20 presidency.
During its presidency, India launched the Global Biofuels Alliance to promote the adoption of sustainable biofuels worldwide. The IEA supported this initiative by publishing a special report on biofuel policies in Brazil, India and the United States.
During the discussions in Davos, the importance of biofuels was highlighted, with both ministers acknowledging the key role of the IEA in guiding and supporting global progress on biofuels and bioenergy. Conversations in Davos also touched on the wider potential of biofuels in the global energy landscape.
In addition, the Davos forum also highlighted the impact of trade barriers on the global energy transition. The head of the IEA, addressed the complex relationship between fair trade and the transition to clean energy, underlining the need for balance as the world moves through changing economic and environmental landscapes. This includes addressing the challenges posed by trade imbalances and the role of major economies such as China in the clean energy sector.
Discussions between Brazil and IEA are expected to continue, particularly on cooperation in the biofuels sector and other G20 energy and climate priorities.
These meetings and discussions in Davos reflect the increasing complexity and interconnectedness of global energy, climate and trade policy priorities, underlining the need for ongoing collaboration and strategic planning between nations and international organisations.