European Commission to phase out crop-based biofuels from 2021, date set for RED II

EXCLUSIVE - The European Commission (EC) is set to publish phase two of the Renewable Energy Directive (RED) on 30 November and may set out plans to phase out crop-based biofuels from 2021.

Market analyst Platts stated the news in a biofuels webinar, held on 17 November, 2016. During its webinar, a Platts spokesman said the company had viewed a draft EC document on the post-2020 renewables legislation yesterday (16 November, 2016).

The European Commission is set to include the following plans in RED II:

• Existing renewables mandates to be carried over past 2020
• Food and feed crop-based biofuels to be phased out starting 2021
• Sub-mandate for advanced biofuels to be phased in simultaneously
• Tracing and transaction systems to be interlinked between Member States

In response to the news, a European Commission spokeswoman told Biofuels International: “In its “low-carbon mobility” Communication from summer this year, the Commission already indicated that food-based biofuels have a limited role in decarbonising the transport sector and should not receive public support after 2020.

“In the context of the ongoing analytical work to support the revision of the current legislation on fuels and renewable energy, the Commission is focusing on their gradual phase out and replacement by more advanced biofuels.

“For more information, stay tuned for the package on 30 November.”

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