Jakarta, 16 September 2026: ERIA held a validation workshop for its regional biofuel study, Sustainable Pathways for Integrated Comprehensive Biofuel Emission Inventories and Supply Chains (SPICES), in Jakarta on 16 September 2026.

The event brought together representatives from ASEAN Member States, with some participating in person and others online. The workshop featured presentations from the project teams and counterparts responsible for the three SPICES work packages: APR Beyond Strategic for Work Package 1; the ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE) and ENTEC Thailand for Work Package 2; and the Joint Graduate School of Energy and Environment (JGSEE), King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi (KMUTT), for Work Package 3.

Dr Nuki Agya Utama, Director for Energy Policy at ERIA, opened the workshop by highlighting the role of biofuels in ASEAN’s energy transition. Although the region has significant biomass resources and growing demand for transport fuels, these factors alone do not determine how biofuels should be developed. Sustainable feedstock availability, fuel priorities, and opportunities for regional co-operation also need to be considered. He encouraged participants to provide direct feedback to ensure that the study reflects the realities and priorities of ASEAN Member States.

Dr Phetkeo Poumanyvong then provided the regional context, noting that ASEAN imported 66% of its crude oil in 2024, while the latest data show that biofuels already account for around 10% of road transport fuel consumption.

This was followed by presentations on the three work packages:

• Work Package 1 used a forecasting model to assess biofuel supply, demand, and trade through 2060 under three scenarios: Business as Usual (BAU), Acceleration, and Integration. The results indicate that regional biofuel supply could nearly double, with crude palm oil remaining a major feedstock. However, demand is projected to exceed supply under all three scenarios, with the deficit reaching around 20.9 million tonnes of oil equivalent under the BAU scenario and increasing further under the scenarios involving stronger biofuel deployment.
• Work Package 2 assessed biofuel policy and market conditions across the 11 ASEAN Member States. The findings indicate that biodiesel surpluses are concentrated in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand, while the Philippines faces an emerging bioethanol shortage. Most member states have also adopted or are adapting international fuel standards, although mutual recognition of standards has yet to be established.
• Work Package 3 examined the environmental impacts of several biofuel pathways through a full life-cycle assessment, from raw material extraction to production. The assessment covered cassava-, molasses-, and bagasse-based bioethanol; palm-based biodiesel; renewable diesel based on Palm Fatty Acid Distillate; and sustainable aviation fuel made from used cooking oil.

Based on these findings, the proposed ASEAN Biofuel Co-operation Framework developed under the SPICES project is structured around four areas: policy and regulatory co-operation; harmonisation of fuel sustainability standards; market and financial facilitation; and technical co-operation and capacity building. The framework is proposed to be implemented in two phases, beginning with the period up to 2030 under the ASEAN Renewable Energy Sub-Sector Network, followed by a more ambitious phase beyond 2030.

During the discussions, participants called for stronger regional co-ordination, greater private-sector involvement, and the inclusion of land-use change considerations for palm-producing countries in the study. They also emphasised the importance of improving crop yields on existing farmland rather than expanding plantations. Member states provided updates and corrections concerning national standards and targets relevant to the proposed Biofuel Co-operation Framework.

In closing, Dr Nuki highlighted three key areas for further attention. First, greater emphasis is needed on the supply side, particularly improving feedstock productivity, promoting sustainable plantation development, and encouraging private-sector investment. Second, life-cycle assessments should apply consistent accounting across the full supply chain, from raw materials to fuel. Third, regional co-operation should better connect ASEAN’s biofuel supply and demand while involving stakeholders beyond government.