EC biofuels to save the trees
The European Commission (EC) is contemplating new rules for biofuels by the end of 2010 to prevent production from causing destruction to rainforests.
Environmentalists have criticised the Commission's initial January proposals to instill 10% of all road transport fuel derived from renewable sources by 2020.
Of that 10% biofuels would play a key part, stoking the engines of big exporters such as Brazil and Indonesia, as well as EU farming nations.
Environmentalists declare that biofuels made from grains and oilseeds have bumped up food prices and forced subsistence farmers to expand agricultural land by hacking into rainforests and draining wetlands in what is known as indirect land-use change.
EC’s proposal will distinguish which biofuels are acceptable in the 27-nation bloc, suitable production regions, the feedstocks and which methods can be used.
The rules would strike out ethanol fermented using power from coal, the most polluting source of energy.
The EC approach will encourage biofuels raised with minimal impact to the environment, farm lands and food production. Biofuels grown on degraded land, or made from algae, rubbish, or forestry and agricultural waste would all be acceptable.
The plans coincide with efforts by the European Parliament to alter the Commission's initial proposal so as to protect forests and to limit traditional biofuels to just 6% of road fuel.
Talks intent on gripping a compromise have become deadlocked, because EU member states refuse to move on the original 10% target.
Biofuel schemes built before 2012 that produce biofuels which provide greenhouse gas savings of more than 45% would be exempted from the rules for five years, the EC draft states.
Environmentalists have criticised the Commission's initial January proposals to instill 10% of all road transport fuel derived from renewable sources by 2020.
Of that 10% biofuels would play a key part, stoking the engines of big exporters such as Brazil and Indonesia, as well as EU farming nations.
Environmentalists declare that biofuels made from grains and oilseeds have bumped up food prices and forced subsistence farmers to expand agricultural land by hacking into rainforests and draining wetlands in what is known as indirect land-use change.
EC’s proposal will distinguish which biofuels are acceptable in the 27-nation bloc, suitable production regions, the feedstocks and which methods can be used.
The rules would strike out ethanol fermented using power from coal, the most polluting source of energy.
The EC approach will encourage biofuels raised with minimal impact to the environment, farm lands and food production. Biofuels grown on degraded land, or made from algae, rubbish, or forestry and agricultural waste would all be acceptable.
The plans coincide with efforts by the European Parliament to alter the Commission's initial proposal so as to protect forests and to limit traditional biofuels to just 6% of road fuel.
Talks intent on gripping a compromise have become deadlocked, because EU member states refuse to move on the original 10% target.
Biofuel schemes built before 2012 that produce biofuels which provide greenhouse gas savings of more than 45% would be exempted from the rules for five years, the EC draft states.
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