Last week, a U.S. Grains Council (USGC) ethanol delegation traveled to Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), to participate in the 28th Conference of Parties (COP28) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Held annually, the COP meetings bring together representatives from countries that are Parties to the UNFCCC to discuss and negotiate ways to address global climate change and environmental issues.
By being present at the event, the Council was able to showcase ethanol and its role in global decarbonization efforts, goals and Paris Agreement commitments on an international stage. Networking with established entities during the program allowed the USGC delegation to integrate biofuels and ethanol into the global decarbonization conversation at a pivotal time and where they have been historically absent.
“The Paris Agreement adopted at COP21 defines the way the world looks at climate policies and frames the solutions countries look to for decarbonizing their economies. Having ethanol represented at COP28 not only elevates its profile as a solution to phasing out fossil fuels but also lends credibility and showcases the work we as the U.S. Grains Council and the U.S. ethanol industry do,” said Isabelle Ausdal, USGC manager of global ethanol policy and economics.
Carlos Suarez, USGC manager of sustainability, policy and innovation, was invited to take part in a panel led by U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack on Day 10 of COP28 – Food, Agriculture and Water Day. During the panel, titled “Leveraging Partnerships to Scale Up Climate-Smart Solutions for Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Communities,” Suarez showcased the U.S. ethanol industry and the American farmer’s role in decarbonization, job creation and the importance of robust and creditable sustainability verification methods, like the Council’s Corn Sustainability Assurance Protocol (CSAP).
“I can’t think of a better opportunity than for the Council to collaborate with such influential leaders in the ongoing push for agricultural sustainability,” Suarez said. “The Council is more committed than ever to showcasing U.S. farmers’ sustainability practices to an international audience through tools such as the CSAP and working to have bioethanol be part of the global climate solution.”
The Council’s participation in COP only continued to open doors for ethanol in the global climate conversation, and as the world population continues to grow, the Council is positive biofuels will play a critical role in meeting the demand for transportation energy as countries continue to pledge net-zero emissions.
“The U.S. ethanol industry continues to use both the climate-smart practices deployed by U.S. farmers in growing the feedstock as well as improvements at the plant level to further lower its carbon intensity profile. The Council looks forward to working with USDA and other stakeholders to promote ethanol at future COPs and premier global climate events,” Ausdal said.
Read more about the Council’s work in bioethanol here.
About The U.S. Grains Council
The U.S. Grains Council develops export markets for U.S. barley, corn, sorghum and related products including distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS) and ethanol. With full-time presence in 28 locations, the Council operates programs in more than 50 countries and the European Union. The Council believes exports are vital to global economic development and to U.S. agriculture’s profitability. Detailed information about the Council and its programs is online at www.grains.org.