On October 13 and 14, Brasília, the capital of Brazil — the country set to host the UNFCCC COP 30 this month — welcomed global representatives for the Pre-COP 30 event.
Although not part of the official UNFCCC calendar, the gathering was convened by the COP Presidency to provide a platform for countries to engage in crucial discussions ahead of the main conference. Key topics included climate finance and strategies to accelerate the global energy transition.
Taking advantage of the high-level discussions, Brazil unveiled an ambitious international initiative: a pledge for countries to commit to quadrupling the production and use of sustainable fuels by 2035.
The draft declaration, titled the “Belém 4X Pledge on Sustainable Fuels,” expands upon an initiative launched jointly by Japan and Brazil in Osaka last month. The proposal has already gained support from other major nations, including Italy and India. Until and during COP 30, Brazil and its allies will seek the support of other countries.
The pledge encompasses a broad range of low-carbon energy sources — including biofuels, biogases, synthetic fuels, and hydrogen and its derivatives — all of which play a critical role in ensuring a clean, inclusive, and just global energy transition.
The goal is supported by scientific evidence from the International Energy Agency (IEA), whose report “Delivering Sustainable Fuels: Pathways to 2035” was also released during the event. The study underscores the crucial role of biofuels in complementing electrification and energy efficiency to decarbonize sectors whose emissions are hard to abate, such as aviation, shipping, heavy road transport, and certain industrial processes. It also highlights how sustainable fuels can strengthen energy security by diversifying energy sources and reducing dependence on imports. Most importantly, the report confirms that the world has the technical and economic capacity to quadruple global biofuel demand within the next decade—a key milestone in reducing fossil fuel reliance and achieving nationally determined contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement.
Brazil’s dynamic bioenergy sector aligns fully with this global vision, bringing decades of experience, advanced technology, and proven large-scale production capacity. Positioned as a leader in sustainable fuel, Brazil stands ready to collaborate with international partners to accelerate the transition toward a cleaner, more secure, and inclusive global energy future.
