Biofuels: MEPs see 40% shade of green
15 Sep 2008
Brussels - The European Parliament's powerful Committee on Industry, Research and Energy has voted to support a European Commission proposal that renewables should make up at least 10% of the energy used in road transport by 2020, but also wants at least 40% of that renewable energy to come from more sustainable sources than traditional biofuel.
According to the Committee, the 40% share could include electricity and hydrogen produced from renewable sources as well as second-generation biofuels, such as those made from waste, ligno-cellulosic biomass, or algae produced in vats. MEPs in the committee also set an interim target of 5% by 2015 for renewables in road transport fuel.
Meanwhile, MEPs want the 40% share and the 10% target for 2020 to be reviewed by 2014. This review, said the committee, should "focus on consequences for food security, biodiversity and the availability of electricity or hydrogen from renewable sources, biogas or transport fuels from ligno-cellulosic biomass and algae."
Achieving these targets would contribute to the EU's overall goal of ensuring that by 2020, renewables account for at least 20% of its total energy consumption. The report also covers the electricity and heating and cooling sectors, which must contribute towards the overall goal too, said an EP statement.
The Committee also voted to tighten up the "Biomass for energy" sustainability criteria: to count towards the transport fuel targets, biofuels must save at least 45% of greenhouse gas emissions compared to fossil fuels - the EC had proposed a saving of 35%. From 2015 onwards, the greenhouse gas emission saving must be at least 60%, while the committee also inserted social sustainability criteria, including respect for the land rights of local communities or the fair remuneration of all workers.
The MEPs position has alarmed the European Bioethanol Fuel Association, which warns that the proposals adopted by the European Parliament committee are "counterproductive in reducing our dependency on fossil fuels" and could undermine the EU biofuels industry as well as opportunities for increasing employment in the sector.
According to the industry group. the EU industry has invested over Euro5 billion in biofuel production capacity in order "to achieve the 5.75% target of the present Biofuel Directive (2003/30) of which 3% has already been achieved. The proposed intermediate target of 4% biofuels by 2015 imposes a standstill. It will bring to a halt further investments and job creation."
The EBFA wants a more stable investment climate to reduce greenhouse gas emissions further and to develop more advanced biofuels. While, the EC's proposals for a 10% target is providing this stability, the European Parliament Industry Committee is undermining this investment security by making the 2020 target subject to a review, the Association argued.
"By hampering the European industry's development, Europe risks missing a unique opportunity to be the best, not only in sustainable production but also in setting standards worldwide. The European Bioethanol Fuel Association is confident that the European Commission and the EU Member States will demonstrate a greater sense of reality," its statement concluded.
