The adoption of a just energy transition would allow for a more objective evaluation of the impact and viability of bioethanol, balancing its environmental and economic benefits with potential social challenges. Mexico has the capacity for the development of biofuels, but a clear strategy is needed to promote investment in clean technologies.
Guillermo Gómez, vice president of the National Council of Biogas (CNBiogás), highlights that the use of bioethanol offers significant environmental, economic, and social advantages. This biofuel helps reduce harmful emissions by partially or totally replacing fossil fuels, improving air quality and helping to mitigate climate change. Furthermore, bioethanol acts as a complement in the transition toward a cleaner and more sustainable energy model, utilizing agricultural and industrial wastes in its production, which does not affect food availability.
Gómez mentions that bioethanol production could boost the rural economy by generating job opportunities in agricultural communities and promoting sustainable development. Despite these benefits, bioethanol faces obstacles in Mexico, such as restrictions in the regulations governing its blend with fossil fuels, insufficient infrastructure for its storage and distribution, and the misconception that it competes with food production.
For bioethanol to thrive in Mexico, appropriate policies are required to promote its development. Globally, countries like Brazil, the United States, and Canada have successfully adopted this biofuel to diversify their energy matrices and reduce harmful emissions. The global bioenergy market is expected to continue growing in the coming years due to the search for cleaner and more efficient energy sources, especially in key sectors such as transportation, electricity, and heating.
