Importance of World Biofuel Day

Importance of World Biofuel Day

Every year, the World Biofuel Day is observed August 10. The special day aims to create awareness about the importance of non-fossil fuels as an alternative to conventional fossil fuels. Bio-fuels are basically green fuels which are environment friendly fuels and their utilization would address global concerns about containment of carbon emissions. They are renewable, bio-degradable, sustainable and environment friendly fuel. It can be seen as alternative to conventional fossil fuels. Biofuels have the benefits of reducing import dependency on crude oil, cleaner environment, additional income to farmers and employment generation in rural areas. In India, the biofuels programme is also in synergy with the Government of India initiatives for Make in India, Swachh Bharat and enhancing farmers’ income.

World Biofuel Day: History

It was in 1893 on August 9, that Sir Rudalph Diesel, who was the inventor of the diesel engine, had run the mechanical engine with Peanut Oil for the first time successfully. According to history, his research experiment had predicted that vegetable oil is going to replace the fossil fuels in the next century to fuel different mechanical engines. In a bid to mark this extraordinary achievement, World Biofuel Day is observed every year on August 10.

World Biofuel Day: Significance

The special day is aimed at reducing dependency on biofuel and adopting alternative sources of energy and effective management of fuels. The day is observed to create awareness about the importance of non-fossil fuels as an alternative to conventional fossil fuels. In India, the Government approved the National Policy on Biofuels-2018 in June 2018. It has the objective of reaching 20% ethanol-blending and 5% biodiesel-blending by the year 2030.

Biofuels are environment friendly fuels and their utilization would address global concerns about containment of carbon emissions. Biofuels are derived from renewable bio-mass resources and, therefore, provide a strategic advantage to promote sustainable development and to supplement conventional energy sources in meeting the rapidly increasing requirements for transportation fuels associated with high economic growth, as well as in meeting the energy needs of India’s vast rural population.

Biofuels have the benefits of reducing import dependency on crude oil, cleaner environment, additional income to farmers and employment generation in rural areas.