EU is 'falling' behind in its climate policies for transport

The publication of the European Commission’s renewable energy report shows that the EU is falling behind in its climate policies for transport, according to European renewable ethanol trade body ePURE.

The EC published its report entitled Renewable energy progress report yesterday (1 February, 2017).

The report stated: “Progress has been fastest in the electricity sector, while the largest absolute contribution continues to be provided in the heating and cooling sector. Progress in transport has been slowest so far.

“The existence of a large untapped potential in the heating and cooling and transport sectors calls for further action as set out in the proposal for a recast of the Renewable Energy Directive for the period after 2020, as part of the Clean Energy for all Europeans package presented in November 2016.”

‘Falling behind’

In response to the report, ePURE’s Secretary General Emmanuel Desplechin, said: "The European Commission's renewable energy report card confirms that the EU is falling behind in its climate policies for transport. Many Member States are nowhere near on track to meet their obligations for at least 10% renewables in transport by 2020.

“One big reason for what the report calls ‘slow progress’ is that the Commission keeps downshifting on its policies on biofuels -- which offer significant greenhouse-gas savings. That policy instability has undermined Member States' abilities to use renewables in transport."

"The problem would only get worse under the Commission's new proposal to phase out conventional biofuels like European ethanol — which has 64% GHG savings compared to petrol and is an essential tool for decarbonising EU transport. EU ethanol is produced sustainably by European farmers, is available at scale and works in existing infrastructure and cars.

“Europe needs policies that promote its transport decarbonisation goals with solutions that work today and also encourage investment in advanced biofuels technology."

"The Commission wants Europe to be the world leader in renewables, but when it comes to transport it is clearly not backing up its ambition with action."

This story was written by Liz Gyekye, editor of Biofuels International.