First generation biofuels to be capped in Europe

The European Parliament Environment Committee has approved draft legislation which will limit the contribution of first generation biofuels toward EU green transport targets.

The Committee’s vote on proposals to deal with possible greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from indirect land use change (ILUC) took place on 11 July. The potential 5.5% cap on transport from all land-based biofuels was passed by 43-26.

The incorporation of ILUC factors into the accounting of GHG emissions for biofuels under the Fuel Quality and Renewable Energy Directives, which some see as controversial, has also been passed.

The proposals voted in will be put to the Plenary of the European Parliament in the autumn, when the Industry, Research and Energy Committee (ITRE) will be able to introduce any potential amendments

Many biofuels advocates are coming out as disappointed with this final result with Clare Wenner, head of renewable transport at the UK Renewable Energy Association, claiming ‘so-called green campaigners have well and truly shot themselves in the foot with this pyrrhic victory’.

‘This vote is very disappointing for so much of the UK biofuels industry. It will ensure that fossil fuels continue to dominate transport for the foreseeable future and it will reduce the stimulus for investments in improving agricultural yields and practices,’ says Clare Wenner, head of renewable transport at the Renewable Energy Association.

‘These final proposals are a conceptually flawed attempt to force European biofuel developers to pay for the assumed emissions of other industries in other regions of the world. They will put committed investments in agricultural biofuels and future investments in advanced biofuels at extreme risk across Europe.’

The European Biodiesel Board (EBB) believes this culmination of what has been a lengthy debate has been asking the wrong questions while looking for solutions.

‘Limiting biofuels production will neither solve hunger, nor will it prevent deforestation,’ says EBB secretary general Raffaello Garofalo. ‘ILUC modelling remains uncertain and the industry cannot be penalise on groundless assumptions.’

Garofalo and the EBB believe there is a lack of consistent, accurate information in terms of ILUC factors and biofuels contribution, but the organisation does welcome the maintaining of ‘strong incentives’ for biodiesel made from waste and residue feedstocks which can achieve up to 95% GHG reductions.

The vote will take place on 10 September.