Environmental Groups Urge IMO to Exclude Biofuels from Net-Zero Framework

Environmental organizations including Biofuelwatch, Forest Watch Indonesia, and the Global Forest Coalition have called on the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to exclude biofuels from compliance under its upcoming Net-Zero Framework (IMO NZF).

The call comes after delegates at the IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC ES.2) session in London last week postponed the adoption of the framework until 2026. Despite the delay, discussions on clean energy incentives for the maritime sector are scheduled to continue from 20–24 October, with campaigners urging the IMO to avoid classifying biofuels as a sustainable or low-carbon alternative to fossil fuels.

Concerns Over Biofuel Emissions and Land Use Change

The organizations argue that crop-based biofuels, such as those derived from soy and palm oil, fail to deliver genuine emission reductions due to indirect land-use change (ILUC). When agricultural land is diverted to produce biofuel crops, they say, it displaces food production, drives deforestation, and contributes to emissions often exceeding those from fossil fuels.

“Biofuels are not a sustainable solution under any circumstances. In Latin America, the push for soy-based biofuels has accelerated deforestation and driven communities off their lands. If the IMO creates new demand for biofuels, it will unleash more emissions, more inequality, and more land grabbing,” said Jana Uemura, Climate Campaigner at the Global Forest Coalition.

Deforestation Risks Highlighted in Indonesia

Campaigners also warned that biofuel expansion continues to impact tropical forests, particularly in Indonesia.

“Rejecting biofuels in the Net-Zero Framework means protecting the world’s remaining tropical forests – critical carbon sinks and biodiversity hotspots,” said Anggi Putra Prayoga, Forest Campaigner at Forest Watch Indonesia. “The climate crisis is already real, and it is crucial to take a firm stance on adopting truly zero-emission energy sources, rather than biofuels that generate new emissions through deforestation.”

The statement cited Indonesia’s ongoing palm oil plantation expansion, noting that even protected and conservation forests have been affected.

Limited Supply and Scalability of Waste-Based Biofuels

While biofuels derived from waste and residues, such as used cooking oil (UCO), are often promoted as a more sustainable alternative, environmental groups argue that their availability is limited and insufficient to meet shipping’s energy needs.

Recent research indicates that global waste oil supplies could only meet about 5% of the maritime sector’s energy demand. The report also warned that supply constraints could push the industry toward greater reliance on high-ILUC biofuels, with associated sustainability risks.

“We urge all IMO member governments to take a strong, united stance against the inclusion of biofuels in the Net-Zero Framework. The science is clear: crop-based and waste-derived biofuels cannot deliver real emissions reductions. Governments now have a historic opportunity to steer the shipping sector toward truly clean, zero-emission solutions that protect people and the planet,” said Pax Butchart, Biofuel Campaigner at Biofuelwatch.

The groups also highlighted fraud and weak auditing in waste-derived biofuels supply chains, including palm oil derivatives such as palm oil mill effluent (POME) and palm fatty acid distillate (PFAD), which may displace more sustainable uses and contribute indirectly to increased palm oil demand.

Call for Truly Zero-Emission Solutions

The statement concluded by urging IMO member states to focus on genuinely sustainable alternatives, including energy efficiency improvements, wind-assisted propulsion technologies, and measures to reduce global maritime transport demand.

“The IMO governments must now pursue truly sustainable alternatives, including improved energy efficiency, wind-assisted propulsion and reducing demand for maritime transport in international trade,” the campaigners said. The organizations further noted that major regulatory frameworks — including the EU’s Maritime and Aviation policies, the UK SAF Mandate, and the ICAO’s CORSIA scheme — already exclude or cap high-ILUC biofuels. They warned that the IMO must align with these standards to avoid undermining global climate goals.