Biofuels

Europe’s oil dependency to stick to transport up to 2030

Despite the European Commission's proclaimed aim of decarbonising transport, and various pieces of legislation it has pushed forward, Europe’s transport sector will remain heavily dependent on oil until 2030.

How the EU’s Green Deal could help trigger a historic EU-ASEAN trade deal

There has been much fanfare over the EU’s new Green Deal, a three-decade plan to make the EU climate neutral by 2050. Lauded as “revolutionary”, “visionary” and a “game-changer”, it has been applauded across the globe. Understandably so: the stated goals are nothing short of commendable, writes Teresa Kok.

Malaysia relies on sustainable palm oil to keep entry into European market

Malaysia is to send a delegation to Europe by the end of February to present its newly adopted measures to make palm oil production sustainable, in a move that aims to circumvent a potential European Union ban on palm oil by 2030.

Portuguese tech institute to produce advanced biofuels from tree-pruning-waste

A project to use the waste from pruning vines and fruit trees to produce advanced biofuel is being developed at the BLC3 Campus of Technology and Innovation in Oliveira do Hospital, the campus president said today. EURACTIV's partner Lusa.pt reports.

France’s palm oil tax saga continues

French NGOs and multinational oil and gas company Total continue their arm-wrestling over the tax status of palm oil used in crop-based biofuels. EURACTIV France reports.

Investing in consumer ‘proximity’ to produce biodiesel from UCO

A Greek company says it has found a way to collect much more effectively used cooking oil for biodiesel production: by making it easier for consumers to find nearby collection points and avoid simply pouring the used oil down their kitchen sink,

Could bacteria help recycle greenhouse gases in the future?

Could bacteria assist in the recycling of greenhouse gases in the future instead of releasing them into the atmosphere? European researchers are working to reverse the metabolism of intestinal bacteria that feed on CO2 so that they form products that can be used at an industrial level. EURACTIV Germany reports.

Shipping to splash out on ammonia in green bid

A shipbuilder and engine maker are among leading companies looking to develop a vessel that can run on ammonia as part of efforts to speed up carbon reductions in shipping through cleaner fuel options, officials said on Wednesday (15 January).

Lisbon bus project uses 100% used cooking oil as fuel

Lisbon’s public transportation company CARRIS has joined forces with the private sector in a project aiming to boost sustainable mobility in the country’s capital through the use of 100% used cooking oils.

EU imports of soy should be reduced, says Agriculture Commissioner

The EU should gradually go in the direction of reducing soy imports from third countries, although not overnight, by supporting the production of protein plants in Europe, the EU's Agriculture Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski said on Monday (16 December).

Indonesia hits European Union with WTO lawsuit over palm oil

Indonesia on Sunday (15 December) said it has filed a World Trade Organisation lawsuit against the European Union over plans to phase out palm oil-based biofuel for cars, the trade ministry said.

Biofuel expert calls on EU to revisit RED II to avoid ‘impetus of oil’

The EU should look at how countries across the world promote biofuels in their national policies and, following the announcement of the Green Deal, basically “revisit” the Renewable Energy Directive (RED II) on road transport decarbonisation, a biofuel expert told...

IATA official: Incentives needed for green alternatives to kerosene

Alternative fuels are the long-term solution to reduce emissions from aviation, but incentives are needed to scale them up, an official from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) told EURACTIV.com.

Ethanol could be a ‘bridge’ toward transport electrification, US farmers say

Until electrification of transport is fully in place, ethanol could be used as a “bridge” to make fuels cleaner, US farmers told EURACTIV.com at the COP25 in Madrid.  

COP25: Is transport decarbonisation pragmatic enough?

Stakeholders will be meeting in Madrid for the COP25 Climate Change Conference over the next two weeks (2-13 December), and transport decarbonisation is expected to take centre stage in the discussions.

Commission official: EU should re-examine renewable energy rules

The recently updated Renewable Energy Directive (RED II) has drawn much criticism and it would be good for the European Commission to look at it again, a high-ranking official in the EU executive has admitted.

Airlines get ready for jet biofuel take-off in Norway

Airlines are confident of having sufficient supplies of biofuel-infused jet fuel to comply with Norway’s looming requirement, which takes effect next year, although they warn of additional costs. From January, jet fuel suppliers in Norway must blend 0.5% of biofuel...

Expert: Commission should expose weaknesses in national transport decarbonisation plans

The European Commission should ask member states to provide cost assessments of carbon abatement in their transport decarbonisation plans, but also to compare "alternative paths to decarbonisation" and look beyond Europe for inspiration, an international expert on agricultural issues told EURACTIV.com.

EU transport decarbonisation: What’s the cost?

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A study by Farm Europe has recently suggested that the current 10-year National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs) drafted by EU member states risk being ineffective because they lack a calculation method on the cost-effectiveness of the proposals.

Study: No EU country has calculated transport decarbonisation costs

The EU risks missing its target to decarbonise transport by 2030, as in the current draft plans of member states, there is no cost-effectiveness calculation of the different proposed measures, a study has found.

MEP: Clean technology mix needed to decarbonise transport

Decarbonising transport is an enormous challenge and there will be a need to deploy a mix of clean technologies to accelerate the transition to a sustainable system, MEP Seán Kelly told EURACTIV.com.

Carbon levy should fund cleaner shipping fuels, say top executives

Executives at some of the world’s top shipping groups are advocating a levy on carbon emissions on shipping in an effort to shape tightening rules on greenhouse gas emissions while providing a means to fund development of cleaner fuel sources.