Biofuels

We won’t get there without sustainable biofuels

It is common knowledge by now: transport is and stays a big greenhouse gas (GHG) emitter in the EU and worldwide. It accounted for 27% of EU-28 total emissions in 2017, and the sector runs almost entirely on fossil fuel. David Chiaramonti and Giacomo Talluri explain how this can be curbed.

Greener aviation set for end-of-year lift

An EU initiative aimed at boosting the uptake of cleaner aviation fuels is set to launch at the end of 2020 and a new push by the European Commission to streamline tax policy might yet have a big impact on air travel’s carbon footprint.

EU’s trade deals can put an end to deforestation

The EU must take an aggressive “stick and carrot” approach to trade deals in order to put an end to deforestation and avert a next pandemic, writes Fazlun Khalid.

Malaysia vows WTO lawsuit against EU over palm oil

Malaysia will file a lawsuit at the World Trade Organisation over the European Union's plans to end the use of palm oil-based biofuels, a minister said Wednesday (2 July).

Report: Europe’s imported UCO mainly comes from China and palm oil producer countries

A new report has found that more than half the Used Cooking Oil (UCO) used in Europe for biodiesel in 2019 was imported (1.5 million tonnes out of 2.8 million tonnes).

EU lacks ‘complete overview’ about used cooking oil origins

The European Commission does not have a “complete overview” of the origin of used cooking oils used for the production of biodiesel consumed in the EU, but appears set to tighten the rules, EURACTIV has learned.

Biodiesel industry worried about Commission’s aviation fuel plans

In a letter sent to three EU Commissioners, including Vice-President Frans Timmermans,  the European waste-based biodiesel industry has voiced its concerns about alleged plans by the European Commission to promote sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

Biomass can contribute to sector integration in Green Deal

Member states can integrate their Energy and Climate plans into the Common Agricultural Policy to develop sustainable and resource-efficient biomass value chains, write David Chiaramonti and Calliope Panoutsou. Sector integrated biomass policies at national level will facilitate prioritisation within geographic...

Commission re-opens controversial advanced biofuel list in transport

The European Commission has launched a stakeholder consultation to expand the list of the so-called advanced or second-generation biofuels of the Renewable Energy Directive (RED II), EURACTIV.com has learnt.

Stakeholders back ‘linking’ biomass policy to CAP

Linking biomass policy to key EU policy sectors such as agriculture would create a win-win situation that would help the bloc deliver its Green Deal goals and create a sustainable market, a number of stakeholders told EURACTIV.com.

Biodiesel boss: Green Deal could use available technologies ‘without prejudices’

The much-awaited re-visit of the Renewable Energy Directive (RED II) should get rid of “prejudices” and take advantage of technologies and products already placed on the market, a biodiesel stakeholder told EURACTIV.com in an interview.

Romania allows derogations in fossil fuel blending

The Romanian government adopted on 9 April an emergency ordinance that changes the regulations on fuel sales and allows the sale of gasoline and diesel without the mandatory quotas including biofuels, EURACTIV.ro reported.

Viability of synthetic palm oil versus natural palm oil

For several decades now, and ever since the early 1980s, palm oil has been called out as a problem for a number of different reasons, write Dr Mohd Khairuddin Aman Razali and Dr Kalyana Sundram.

Dropping biofuel mandate would be a toxic blow for the industry

Last week a large group of EU-based biofuel producers and associations raised a red flag that some Member States are considering or are already dropping the mandates on renewable energy in transport in view of the COVID-19 crisis.

Spain finally sends 2030 climate plan to Brussels

The Spanish government has submitted its energy and climate plan for 2030 to the European Commission, three months after the deadline, while five EU countries, including France, still need to turn in their strategies.

EU biofuel industry warns Commission about ‘derogations’ in fossil fuel blending

A number of member states in Central and Eastern Europe are considering “derogations” in fossil fuel blending as part of the extraordinary measures to tackle the economic implications of the coronavirus, the EU biofuels industry has warned.

Stakeholders call for ‘reality check’ on EU road transport and energy policy

Europe’s ambitious plans for road transport decarbonisation need a “reality check” in order to result in a pragmatic decrease of emissions and oil products, energy stakeholders told EURACTIV.com.

How biofuels enter the race against the coronavirus pandemic

For 2020, hand sanitisers and disinfectants are what new iPhones and electric vehicles were for 2019. So, who are the Apples and Teslas of ethyl alcohol, asks Zoltán Szabó and explains how a climate solution is being turned into health assistance.

Don’t forget those 2020 targets

The EU Green Deal discussion is focused on 2030 and 2050, but it overlooks some important deadlines that are looming large, writes Emmanuel Desplechin.

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.