India hosts 7th G-STIC conference, spotlights biofuels and green hydrogen

The 7th Global Sustainable Technology & Innovation Community Conference (G-STIC) opened in New Delhi on October 23, bringing together policymakers and experts to discuss sustainable development technologies, with a particular focus on energy transition strategies.

India's Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri highlighted the country's progress in biofuel adoption during his inaugural address. "India's biofuel story started in 2006, with 1.5% blending against the target of 5%. Moving forward, we achieved a 10% target in November 2022 and are on track two achieve 20% blending by 2025," Puri said.

Puri acknowledged challenges faced by developing nations, particularly in the global south regarding energy security. While presenting India's ethanol initiatives as a potential model, he noted that unlike Brazil, India faces constraints due to limited arable land for large-scale biofuel production.

Green hydrogen emerged as another key focus area at the conference. Discussions centered on developing markets, securing offtake, and addressing cost challenges that currently limit widespread adoption. Puri emphasized that local demand, production, and consumption would be crucial for making green hydrogen viable in India's energy landscape.

Dr. Dietrich Van der Weken, General Manager of G-STIC at VITO (a research organisation for sustainability and innovation in Belgium), stressed the importance of combining technology with appropriate policies. "We are strongly convinced that technology is a critical enabler of sustainable development, but it must be paired with the right policies, partnerships, and mindsets to bring about the transformative changes that the world urgently needs," he said.

The conference also explored other technological innovations, including artificial intelligence's role in education, with experts debating the balance between technological advancement and human oversight in learning environments.

Belgian Ambassador to India, Didier Vanderhasselt, highlighted ongoing collaborative projects, particularly in urban heat stress mitigation. "Success in these areas depends on collaborative and collective efforts supported by strong business models. Building bridges between research and the private sector is crucial," Vanderhasselt noted.

Organized by TERI (India) and VITO (Belgium), the conference, continues to explore regional and global perspectives on sustainable development challenges.