Biofuels
Electricity and biofuels needed in tandem to meet climate goals, UN report says
First generation biofuels such as palm oil diesel gave bioenergy a bad name, but recent scientific reports have confirmed that policymakers must take into account all the available options in the transport sector to win the climate change battle.
EU bioeconomy strategy and IPCC – planets apart
The latest report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) indicates that biofuels will need to rise 260% by 2030 and 750% by 2050 in order to contain global warming below 1.5°C. Yet, the EU Bioeconomy Strategy, published days after, seems to ignore this, writes James Cogan.
How green is Europe’s tank?
As the need for climate action gets more urgent, new labels give motorists a clearer picture of fuels’ and cars’ eco-friendliness, writes Emmanuel Desplechin.
Showdown over biogas on margins of car CO2 vote
Europe's gas industry wants renewable fuels completely accounted for in updated car CO2 rules. But the MEP charged with helming the legislation's revision hopes to shield her report from industry attacks ahead of a crucial vote on Wednesday (3 October).
EU says cheap Argentine biodiesel ‘subsidised’ but won’t impost tariffs for now
The European Commission has decided not to impose provisional import tariffs on a flood of low-priced Argentine biodiesel until it gathers more information, although it considers the fuel to be subsidised and a potential threat to local producers.
European market ‘open to palm oil’, EU ambassador in Malaysia says
The EU is open to palm oil and there is no ban on the commodity, the head of the European Union Delegation to Malaysia, ambassador Maria Castillo Fernandez, said on 16 July in an apparent attempt to appease Asian producers.OpinionPromoted content
Advanced biofuels are key to decarbonising transportation
The recent agreements on the revised Renewable Energy Directive (RED II) are setting the tone for creating a stable and predictable business environment that will trigger the development of and investment in advanced biofuel production within the EU, argues Markus Rarbach.
Could EU-Indonesia free trade deal end palm oil conundrum?
As a new round of free trade negotiations between the European Union and Indonesia begins in Brussels, Perrine Fournier argues that improving forest governance should be central to any agreement.
Science, public opinion and policy-making
The re-authorisation of Monsanto’s weedkiller glyphosate and the ban of three neonicotinoids – a class of insecticide – have opened a heated debate on the role of science in policy-making.
EU farmers boss: DG Agri ‘not properly consulted’ in biofuels talks
EU farmers are “quite worried” about the fact that the European Commission’s DG Agri is often disregarded when it comes to policy decisions that have a direct impact on the farming community, such as the biofuels debate.
French farmers start refinery blockade over palm oil imports
French farmers began a blockade of oil refineries and fuel depots on Sunday evening (10 June) over plans by Total to use imported palm oil at a biofuel plant, which have fanned farmer discontent over unfair competition.
Eric Andrieu on Efsa, PEST committee and France
French MEP Eric Andrieu discusses the role of the EP’s PEST Committee, which he chairs, to respond to comments suggesting that it is at a dead-end.OpinionPromoted content
ASEAN can show the way for Europe on Trade
From Kuala Lumpur, the global trading system currently resembles a high-stakes poker game played by giants – China, the US and the EU. ASEAN as a region feels almost like an outlier, writes Dato’ Lee Yeow Chor.OpinionPromoted content
With a bad RED II policy we will not invest: V4+Sustainable Biofuel Alliance
EU crop based biofuels are currently the primary tool in the decarbonisation of transport in Europe: no small task. Their direct displacement of oil, high sustainability; huge GHG reductions and addition of high protein animal feed to the food chain...
France gives green light to palm oil despite European Parliament’s ban
While the European Parliament has decided to ban palm oil imports by 2021, France recently gave the go-ahead for a biorefinery owned by Total, a move that prompted many critics. EURACTIV.fr reports.
NGOs tell Commission to listen to science and differentiate biofuels
A coalition of Czech and Slovak NGOs has called on the European Commission to draw a line in the Renewable Energy Directive revision (RED II) between more sustainable ethanol and the high greenhouse gas emitting tropical oils.
EU unable to contain explosion in unsustainable biodiesel imports
Imports of Argentine soy biodiesel, which are among the most unsustainable of biofuels, have exploded in recent months because the EU lost a trade case at the WTO, writes Kristina Wittkopp.
Ireland increases crop-based biofuel transport share, provides ‘business certainty’
Ireland’s environment ministry has decided to increase the crop-based biofuel share in transport to 10% from the existing 8% and draw a 2030 plan aiming to provide long-term business certainty in the field.OpinionPromoted content
EU biofuel policy grasping at straw
A culturally uniform and uninformed group of urban EU bureaucrats, NGOs and technology providers in Brussels have increasingly believed that straw is a waste, that it exists in vast quantities and that it is dirt cheap - oh and that it can easily be turned into a biofuel. This could only happen in a city with people who never get mud on their boots.OpinionPromoted content
RED II perpetuates advanced biofuel trade distortions and incentivises fraud
The Energy Directive (RED 2) transport decarbonisation ambitions ostensibly promote major capital investment in truly advanced biofuels breakthrough technologies. However, the Directive will not generate meaningful advanced biofuels investment. Instead, it incentivises fake wastes to meet biofuels targets for 2030. ...OpinionPromoted content
RED II Council pressure for double counting renewables must be rejected
Europe’s proposed climate and energy legislation allows for ‘double counting’ of renewable energy used in transport, creating the illusion that the EU is moving towards fulfilling its commitments in transport, and making some in Brussels feel good, when all the while fossil emissions are steadily rising.![[Shutterstock]](https://www.euractiv.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2018/04/shutterstock_237038119-800x450.jpg)
Brazilian biofuel producers oppose further deforestation of the Amazon
The Brazilian Senate is considering lifting a ban on sugarcane production for ethanol fuel in the Amazon. The plan, supported by the country's president, has sparked protests from environmentalists and the Brazilian Sugarcane Industry Association, UNICA.OpinionPromoted content
Flawed Commission advanced biofuel costings fail taxpayers and consumers
Key European Commission documents refer to substantial cost savings when transitioning from conventional to advanced biofuels. This cost saving claim is actively implied but never explained, nor are solid references provided. It is just presented as a fact in important decision-supporting documents.
Straw is not waste but co-product, EU farmers tell Commission
The EU farmers’ association claims that straw is an agricultural co-product and not a waste, whereas the European Commission has listed it as waste to produce “advanced biofuel” to decarbonise the transport sector.
Biofuels: ‘Waste and residues’ need clear criteria to avoid system’s misuse
The criteria for "waste and residues" should be so defined clearly in the EU legislation that the system cannot be misused and allowed to endanger sustainability, Robert Spišák told EURACTIV.com in a written interview.Supporters
