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below50 is a unique global campaign that seeks to decarbonize transport by growing the market for sustainable fuels that reduce CO2 emissions by more than 50% compared with conventional fossil fuels.

Over the past week, below50 was highlighted across key events in Australia and Singapore, signaling uptake of the project among key players in the Asia Pacific. Thanks, in large part to the regional hub for below50 Australia, hosted by the Queensland Renewable Fuels Association (QRFA).

Damiana Serafini, transport manager for WBCSD, leading both below50 and the Transforming Heavy Transport project, has been promoting below50 and Transforming Heavy Transport as innovative models to lower emissions from transport in Australia and Singapore.

On Monday 12 November, key organizations from the public and the private sector convened in Brisbane Australia to discuss solutions to improve efficiencies in trade by employing good environmental practices. Serafini presented Transforming Heavy Transport as an action plan to implement a global strategy on low-emissions freight at the local level.

On Tuesday 13 November, the “Queensland Government has formally endorsed its membership to the global below50 network during an event at Queensland Parliament.” The Honorable Cameron Dick, Minister for State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning, took a bold step in signing, making Queensland into the first jurisdiction in the world to join below50, highlighting its commitment to a more sustainable fuel industry for the State.

QRFA Managing Director Larissa Rose, who opened proceedings, spoke about the opportunities the continued development of the State’s biofuels industry brings.

“Queensland is in prime position to become a world leader in renewable and biofuels, with its large agriculture sector, its proximity to Asia, and possessing Government backing,” Rose said.

Minister Dick highlighted the importance of global collaboration to move forward with this commitment. “Formalizing the agreement allows us to grow these relationships and draw on the support and expertise of the below50 global community, which includes investors, businesses, renewable fuel producers and users and government agencies.

“The presence of Gerard Ostheimer, senior advisor of below50, who travelled here from Washington, and Geneva-based Damiana Serafini, transport manager at the World Business Council for Sustainable Development and global lead of below50, underlines the importance of this agreement,” Mr Dick said. 

WBCSD and QRFA believe the Queensland Government’s commitment to below50 will have positive effects on the uptake of low-carbon fuels across the Asia Pacific – especially in the aviation sector.

On Thursday 15 November, below50 representatives took the stage at the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Alternative Fuel Symposium in Singapore. The audience, this time representing the aviation sector, welcomed a new outlook on how to tackle the incorporation of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) through a systems approach. 

Much emphasis was also placed on the opportunities Queensland has to offer to the region as a hub for SAFs supply given the government’s commitment to provide strong leadership to create and maintain an attractive environment for investment.

Over the course of 2018 and 2019, below50 representatives will continue encouraging uptake of low-carbon fuels across Europe, South America and the Asia Pacific.