Commission defends biofuels in face of mounting criticism[fr] 

The UK House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) today (21 January) joined a growing chorus of criticism over the promotion of biofuels for use in the EU's transport mix, arguing against any further promotion of the fuels at EU level. 

Despite their ability to offset greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from road transport, "at present most biofuels have a detrimental impact on the environment overall", said the EAC's chairman Tim Yeo.

The EAC's conclusions reflect those made by the Commission's own scientists (EurActiv 18/01/08), who have questioned the environmental sustainability of growing crops for energy use. Environmental NGOs have strongly criticised the EU's 10% goal, calling for tougher safeguards or even an outright moratorium on production (EurActiv 11/01/08).

But EU Energy Commissioner Andris Piebalgs said that the Commission "strongly disagrees" with the EAC's conclusion. Biofuels are "delivering significant greenhouse gas reductions" compared to oil, Piebalgs said in a statement, which lists a number of arguments to support the EU's policy.

"The key contribution of biofuels to the sustainability of the transport sector should not make us forget its other benefits which are as important as the environmental ones, namely: reducing our dependency on imported oil; providing a development opportunity for poor countries and paving the way for second-generation biofuels", read the statement, published on 21 January.

However, despite an apparent 'U-turn' on certain controversial policy approaches for promoting renewable energies such as solar and wind, the Commission is unlikely to change course on biofuels.

EU Agriculture Commissioner Mariann Fischer Boel told the German food industry on Friday (18 January) that the policy is here to stay, arguing that the goals are "attainable" and "necessary if we're serious about energy security and climate change".

The Commission, which will unveil its proposal on biofuels on 23 January as part of a wider climate and energy 'package', is trying to assuage criticism of its policy by making assurances that "robust sustainability standards and mechanisms to prevent damaging land use change" will feature as part of the proposals.