Energy is the oxygen of growth and resilience. It powers industry, creates jobs and gives stability to everyday life, and it is increasingly the foundation of national resilience. The conflict in the Middle East has exposed how fragile our energy systems are and how reliant we are on fossil fuels. As business leaders, and as citizens, we see the ripple effects.

If history has taught us anything, it’s that the urgency to decouple growth from fossil fuel isn’t waning, and that one answer does not fit all. We need multiple answers; answers that are reliable, cost-effective, and accessible to reduce our dependence on fossil-based energy. The good news is that those solutions already exist.

Bridging to a competitive path forward

Recently, I’ve noticed that when speaking about future sources of energy, discussions become polarized and people determined that their position is the right one. If I have learned anything as a leader, it’s that reality is often more nuanced and intricate than it looks, and that strength and stability are rooted in diversification. The future we deserve requires a pragmatic approach; one that combines technologies, accelerates existing innovation and builds bridges between sectors.

Turning local raw materials into national strength

Today, there is untapped opportunity in what is already available: agricultural residues, crops, and organic waste. These can be transformed into biofuel, biogas, or jet fuel. Solutions that directly displace imported fossil fuels and allow you to produce and scale competitively right at home.

Biofuels have displaced around 2.5 million barrels of oil per day globally, around 4% of total transport energy demand, and more than 80 countries see their benefit already.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) projects that given the right conditions, liquid biofuel consumption could more than double by 2030, with biofuels in aviation rising from near zero to almost 10% of jet fuel demand. At the same time, byproducts of biofuels offer valuable animal feed nutrients, meaning the same process helps provide both energy and food. 

Handful of countries leading the way

India has proven how diversification can translate into real economic and strategic gains. Today, India has already reduced its fossil imports, lowering crude oil and natural gas imports to 87% and 50% respectively. And the country is investing in reducing its exposure even more.

By scaling bioethanol and biogas produced from domestic feedstocks, India is reducing fossil-import exposure while building economic value at home. The results are already significant:

• 24.4 million tons of crude oil imports displaced through ethanol blending
• €13 billion in foreign exchange savings
• 165,000 jobs created in the biofuel sector.

At India Energy Week this year, I witnessed firsthand India’s ambitious energy agenda. India gets it; it is investing in energy solutions that drive resilience, growth, and jobs while building shared and sustainable prosperity for its people. 
    
More countries adopting bioenergy 

The opportunity and the ambition aren’t limited to a few countries. Southeast Asia, for example, faces rising dependence on imported fossil fuels alongside growing demand and exposure to price shocks. At the same time, it produces vast amounts of agricultural biomass – an untapped resource that can be converted into fuels, feed, and energy. Similarly, countries like Türkiye are combining high import dependency with strong agricultural output, creating a clear pathway to strengthen resilience through domestic bioenergy systems.

What is needed now is decisive action. Clear, predictable policy frameworks, like stronger blending mandates, can unlock investment, improve competitiveness, and accelerate adoption. This is not just about energy transition; it is about economic resilience, local value creation, and long-term stability.

A path forward exists – let’s take it

We stand at a pivotal moment. Rather than replacing one dependency with another, we have the opportunity to build a more balanced, resilient energy system. Biofuels, and biosolutions more broadly, offer a practical bridge: fueling economies while feeding populations, creating jobs while reducing emissions.

The path forward exists. It is pragmatic, scalable, and within reach. Now is the time to act – and to lead the transition toward a more resilient and diversified energy future. 

Ester is the President and CEO of Novonesis and Vice-Chair of The B Team. Learn more about Ester.

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