O World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) announced on November 14, during COP23 in Bonn, Germany, a major expansion of the project below50, new hubs began operating on three continents: South America, North America and Australia. The goal is to rapidly expand the global market for more sustainable fuels, which emit at least 50% less greenhouse gases. The Brazilian Business Council for Sustainable Development (CEBDS) is responsible for leading the below50 in South America, giving rise to to the below50 – hub South America, which seeks to adapt the global project to the context of the region.

For Ana Carolina Szklo, Senior Manager of Projects and Technical Consultancy at CEBDS, South America has a lot to gain from the below50. “The hub from South America will help to disseminate valuable experiences from around the world and will also strengthen the low-carbon fuels sector, providing a solid platform for engagement”, explains Ana Carolina Szklo.

The managing director of Queensland Renewable Fuels Association (QRFA), host of the hub Australia, Larissa Rose highlighted as a unique opportunity for Australia to rapidly expand the production, use and export of fuels that emit 50% less CO₂.”Establish regional centers of below50 sends a strong signal that builds confidence and demonstrates the rise of a low-carbon fuels industry that is essential to reducing emissions in the transportation sector,” says Rose.

O hub of North America is led by Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO). Stephanie Bachelor, Director of State and International Policy at BIO, described the launch of the below50 in its region as “an invaluable boost to the low-carbon fuels sector at a critical time in North America.” Brent Erickson, Executive Vice President of BIO’s Industrial and Environmental Section, added: “The hub can bring together the entire value chain for low-carbon fuels in North America, which is at a critical stage of growth at scale. The expansion of below50 can help revitalize the investment, research and development needed for the continued commercial development of these fuels.”

The WBCSD explains that the project's regional centers will develop their own work programs, but will remain strongly connected to the vision and directions of the global program. beautifulow50. Furthermore, the World Business Council reinforces that the launch of these hubs are just the beginning of the continued expansion of below50. In 2018, the project will seek to establish more regional hubs – in countries such as China, Mexico and the Philippines.

Currently, transportation accounts for almost 25% of all emissions worldwide, and 90% of the sector relies on carbon-intensive fossil fuels. Today, only 3% of transportation fuels are low-carbon. This figure must grow to 10% by 2030 to meet economic growth and help prevent global temperatures from rising by more than 2°.

Fuels with 50% less CO₂

O below50 is a global collaboration that aims to boost the development of the global and national market for sustainable fuels. The project seeks to create demand for fuels that, like national ethanol and biodiesel, emit 50% less CO₂ than traditional fuels. The below50 proposes to:

1. increase the number of companies that opt for fuels below50;
2. create cross-sector opportunities via supply chains;
3. demonstrate that fuels below50 have an economic, social and environmental appeal;
4. address legislative and financial barriers to fuel supply below50.

Created by World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), O below50 responds to the challenges highlighted by the initiative Low Carbon Technology Partnerships initiative (LCTPi).

Your company can be part of this global collaboration. Find out more (link).