policy-briefing-7-91cf8e66d6492879.pdf

This policy briefing by the South African Institute of International Affairs examines the potential for biofuel technology transfer from Brazil to South Africa and other African nations through the India–Brazil–South Africa (IBSA) Forum. It highlights Brazil's leadership in bioethanol and suggests that while biofuels offer a path toward climate change mitigation and rural development, South Africa must first establish a coherent national strategy that balances energy needs with food security and land reform.

• Brazil is a global leader in bioethanol production, having developed a robust infrastructure since the 1975 launch of the national alcohol programme (Proálcool) to reduce oil dependency. By 2008, flex-fuelled cars—which can use gasoline, ethanol, or diesel—accounted for 75% of all light vehicles sold in Brazil.
• Biofuels can significantly lower carbon emissions; for example, Brazil's substitution of gasoline with bioethanol reduced CO2 emissions by nearly 53 million tons in 2008/09, a figure comparable to Switzerland's total emissions in 2005.
• Food security is the primary argument against biofuel development in Africa, as first-generation biofuels utilize food stocks, which can increase commodity prices and divert fertile land from food crops to fuel crops.
• To mitigate food security risks, the document recommends focusing on second-generation biofuels produced from cellulosic biomass like agricultural waste or grass. However, these are not yet commercially viable, making collaborative R&D within the IBSA Forum essential to lower costs.
• South Africa lacks a coherent biofuel strategy and a tradition of bioethanol production, leading to concerns that rural development goals may conflict with energy policy objectives.
• The document suggests that Brazil's 'Selo Combustível Social' (Social Fuel Label) provides a model for South Africa, as it offers financial incentives to producers who provide technical assistance and buy crops from smallholders at set prices.
• Investment in South African renewable energy lacks a single private venture lead, and Brazilian technology transfer is unlikely to include direct investment. The authors recommend using IBSA to create incentives and credit provisions via the Brazilian Economic and Social Development Bank, the Industrial Development Corporation, and the Development Bank of Southern Africa.

APA

South African Institute of International Affairs (n.d.). policy-briefing-7-91cf8e66d6492879.pdf. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/Policy-Briefing-7.pdf

Chicago

South African Institute of International Affairs. policy-briefing-7-91cf8e66d6492879.pdf. n.d. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/Policy-Briefing-7.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=South African Institute of International Affairs |title=policy-briefing-7-91cf8e66d6492879.pdf |url=https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/Policy-Briefing-7.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{southafricaninstituteofinternationalaffairsndpolicybriefing791cf8e66d6492879pdf, author = {{South African Institute of International Affairs}}, title = {{policy-briefing-7-91cf8e66d6492879.pdf}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, url = {https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/Policy-Briefing-7.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }