This month, the United States is anticipated to publicly protest an International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) decision that Washington believes unfairly favors Brazilian maize ethanol producers. The U.S. government expressed concerns about criteria created by the ICAO’s Committee on Aviation Environmental Protection (CAEP), which would give multicropping, a widespread practice in Brazil where crops like corn and soy are grown on the same land, a lower carbon score, according to two people familiar with the situation who spoke to Reuters. The protest targets explicitly the UN aviation agency’s green jet fuel recommendation, which the U.S. argues could distort the market.

In March, the U.S. State Department expressed disapproval, claiming that the suggestion unfairly favored Brazilian manufacturers over American ones. Although ICAO cannot impose regulations, nations that accept its guidelines often do so. Ahead of the ICAO’s triennial assembly this fall, the 36-member council is reviewing the suggestion.

Stakes for U.S. Ethanol Producers

American ethanol producers, particularly in the Midwest, are focusing on new markets like green aviation fuel since domestic demand for ethanol is being outpaced by U.S. maize supply. Producers have suggested carbon capture and sequestration technology to reduce emissions and increase the carbon intensity of U.S. corn ethanol.

Although the Iowa Corn Growers Association supports such policies, it points out that Brazil already has a competitive advantage due to its lower carbon score for corn ethanol. According to U.S. stakeholders, that disparity would increase if the ICAO’s recommendation were to be adopted.

One source told Reuters that a solution may yet be achievable in continuing talks. American manufacturers, meanwhile, are worried about losing market share in sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), which are still a tiny but rapidly expanding sector of the airline industry’s strategy to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.

Also Read: Fashion Giants Accused Of Climate Greenwashing Amid Asia Emission Pledges

Brazilian Reaction and Worldwide Issues

Ethanol producers in Brazil, whose yearly maize ethanol production is predicted to almost double to 16 billion liters by 2032, caution that political meddling in ICAO technical decisions might harm SAF certification’s international reputation. According to UNEM Director Bruno Alves, the process must continue to be honest and free from political pressure.

Alves underlined that attempts to politicize or delegitimize the outcomes of ICAO’s technical work, particularly regarding the UN aviation agency’s green jet fuel recommendation, would be “extremely serious” and pose the danger of eroding the system’s credibility in the eyes of the international community. Requests for Reuters’ comments were not immediately answered by the ICAO or Brazil’s agriculture ministry. The U.S. State Department did not respond either.

Also Read: Big Cats Protection: India’s Environment Minister Calls For Global Collaboration Through IBCA