Brazil Sets 12% Carbon Cut Goal with Biofuels by 2035

Brazil is betting big on green fuels, and the planet is about to benefit. The country just announced new targets under its National Biofuels Policy that will cut carbon intensity by 11.8% compared to 2018 levels by 2035.

The plan comes from Brazil's National Council for Energy Policy, which spent months analyzing how to make the country's energy cleaner without hurting consumers. They reviewed public feedback from 18 institutions and studied fuel supply, market stability, and cost impacts before finalizing the targets.

Energy Minister Alexandre Silveira called RenovaBio a strategic win for the country. "We are strengthening the role of biofuels in our energy matrix, stimulating investments and ensuring that the energy transition occurs safely, competitively and generating development," he said.

The program focuses on expanding three key fuels: ethanol, biodiesel, and biomethane. These plant-based alternatives to gasoline and diesel have already started reducing emissions from Brazil's transportation sector since RenovaBio launched.

Unlike policies that simply ban fossil fuels, Brazil's approach creates market incentives through Decarbonization Credits. Fuel distributors must meet emission reduction targets by purchasing these credits from biofuel producers, rewarding cleaner energy without disrupting supply.

The timeline stretches through 2035, giving businesses and investors the predictability they need to plan major projects. That decade-long horizon means more biofuel refineries, more jobs in the renewable energy sector, and cleaner air for millions of Brazilians.

The Ripple Effect

Brazil's commitment sends a powerful message to other developing nations: you don't have to choose between economic growth and climate action. As one of the world's largest agricultural producers, Brazil is uniquely positioned to lead the biofuels revolution, turning sugarcane, soybeans, and agricultural waste into clean energy.

The policy also protects everyday people. By balancing emission goals with consumer interests, Brazil ensures the green transition won't price families out of transportation or heating. That's climate policy done right.

When a country the size of Brazil cuts carbon by nearly 12%, the whole world breathes easier.