SEMINAR TIMETABLEDiversity toward Carbon Neutrality -Accelerating Decarbonization with Sustainable Fuels-

With the urgent need to address the climate crisis, sustainable fuels are in the spotlight.
This September, Japan hosted the first Ministerial Meeting on Sustainable Fuels in Osaka.
This was part of the "Initiative for Sustainable Fuels and Mobility (ISFM)," a program started at the Japan-Brazil summit in May 2024 to speed up the production and use of sustainable fuels for a carbon-neutral future.
Sustainable liquid fuels, such as sustainable biofuels, are a great option because their energy density is much higher than latest battery and easy to transport and store, and they work with vehicles in use.
At this seminar, we'll invite stakeholders from Japan, Brazil, Europe, and U.S. to discuss the crucial role of these sustainable fuels and the potential for their expanded use in achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. The ultimate goal is to drive the decarbonization of the road transportation sector.

Welcome Remarks

AIBA Takao｜Chairperson, International Climate Change Policy Sub-committee, JAMA

Opening Remarks

YONEZAWA Arisa｜Duputy Director, Automotive Division, Manufacturing Industries Bureau, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, Japan
Helena Gressler｜Head of the Energy and Mining Division, Ministry of foreign affairs, Brazil
David Chiaramonti｜Full professor, Polytechnic University of Turin, Italy; Chair, Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM) Biofuture Platform Initiative

Diversity in Carbon Neutrality (Accelerating Decarbonization with Sustainable Carbon-Neutral Fuels)

AIBA Takao｜Ditto

Keynote

Keith L Kline｜Distinguished Scientist, Environmental Science Division, U.S. Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL)
Henry Joseph Junior｜Advisor to the President, Brazilian Association of Automotive Vehicle Manufacturers (ANFAVEA)
Petr Dolejsi｜Mobility & Sustainable Transport Director, European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA)
Liana Gouta｜Director General, FuelsEurope
Paolo Frankl｜Head of the Renewable Energy Division, International Energy Agency (IEA)

Panel Discussion

ARIMA Jun｜Project Professor, Graduate School of Public Policy, The University of Tokyo
AIBA Takao｜Ditto
Keith L Kline｜Ditto
Henry Joseph Junior｜Ditto
Petr Dolejsi｜Ditto
Liana Gouta｜Ditto
Paolo Frankl｜Ditto

Opening remarks from officials of Japan, Brazil, and Italy highlighted the growing momentum for sustainable fuels via global cooperation, including the ISFM initiative between Japan and Brasil, the “4x Sustainable Fuel Pledge,” and the Biofuture Platform. Experts from IEA, U.S. ORNL, and European/Brazilian automotive and European fuel sectors stressed the importance of “diverse pathways” and sustainable fuels in road transport decarbonization.
Discussions confirmed electrification and sustainable fuels are not conflicting but complementary. IEA and ORNL noted quadrupling sustainable fuel supply by 2035 is achievable through unused biomass and policy support. ANFAVEA showed hybrid vehicles with ethanol match BEV lifecycle CO2 emissions, while ACEA and FuelsEurope emphasized indispensable technological neutrality to ensure competitiveness and decarbonize existing vehicle fleets.
The event concluded that "pragmatizm" and "diverse pathways" are vital given the varying circumstances of each nation. JAMA reaffirmed its commitment to global collaboration with automotive associations to advance decarbonization using all available technologies, including electrification.