This policy instrument includes for example obligations for buildings;  mandates  for blending biofuels (Ethanol (E) and Biodiesel (B)) of total transportation fuel in per cent or million litres; renewable energy and energy efficiency standards, etc.  

Around 27 countries have introduced biofuel blending mandates, among which the countries with significantly high blending mandates are:  Argentina, Brazil, China, Colombia and Portugal. A detailed list of countries can be found here.

Success Story

Since the passage of the Biofuels Promotion Law, in which the production of biofuels was deemed to be of “national interest”, Paraguay has seen an ever expanding domestic biofuels industry take shape.  Paraguay first initiated a blending mandate in 1999 which was subsequently expanded in 2005 and was again modified in 2009.  Since 2009 the Ethanol blending mandate has grown from 7% (E7) to as much as 24% (E24) and is expected to be increased to 25% (E25).  Paraguay is expected to produce nearly 155 million liters of Ethanol in 2011.  Currently all biofuel production in Paraguay is used for domestic consumption.  The increase in biofuels production is being matched by a growing demand for flex fuel and E85 vehicles in Paraguay.

Source: USDA

Further Reading