Ethanol’s role in advancing economic development and decarbonization was at the center of discussions during the event “Caminos de Descarbonización: El Etanol como Parte de la Solución,” held on March 19 in Ciudad Cayalá, Guatemala.
Organized by the Unión de Azucareros Latinoamericanos (UNALA) in partnership with the Embassy of Brazil in Guatemala, the Government of Guatemala, and the Asociación Promotora de Combustibles Renovables (ACR), the event brought together key stakeholders from across the region. Participants explored the growing importance of ethanol within the transport energy matrix and its potential to support more sustainable energy systems.
The keynote address was delivered by Eduardo Leão de Sousa, Director for Strategic Development and New Markets at UNICA. In his remarks, he highlighted ethanol’s capacity to serve as a catalyst for economic and social development, while also delivering meaningful environmental benefits.
Brazil’s experience was presented as a relevant case study. Since the introduction of flex-fuel vehicles in 2003, combined with the large-scale adoption of both hydrous and blended ethanol, the country has avoided approximately 730 million tons of CO₂ equivalent emissions. This demonstrates the potential of ethanol as a scalable solution for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the transport sector.
Continuing the momentum of regional collaboration, UNALA held its General Assembly on March 20. The meeting brought together members and partners to exchange perspectives on market developments and identify opportunities for future growth.
The event reinforced the importance of cooperation, policy frameworks, and innovation in advancing ethanol as a key component of the global energy transition.
