New and Improved 2015 EU Biofuel Target in the Works?
by Jeremy Elton Jacquot, Los Angeles on 07. 5.08
Image from petrr
Given all the recent backlash, it seemed inevitable that the EU would be forced to revise its misguided biofuel targets. The final push may very well have been provided by a World Bank report concluding that biofuels may have caused global food prices to rise by up to 75 percent.
Four percent from renewable sources by 2015
In light of this, Claude Turmes, a EU lawmaker, has proposed changing the EU's target so that only 4 percent of vehicle fuels be derived from renewable sources by 2015, reports Reuters' Pete Harrison. Claiming broad parliamentary backing, Turmes said there would be a review in 2015 to decide whether to keep the 10 percent target for 2020.
Image from LHOON
Focus on second generation biofuels and EVs
One of his proposal's major benefits is that it would require that one-fifth of the renewable sources be either advanced biofuels (i.e. cellulosic ethanol and other second-generation biofuels) or electric vehicles. The purpose of the revision, he said, was to provide an incentive for businesses and governments to invest in more energy-efficient, sustainable alternatives.
Some might argue that one-fifth isn't going far enough. After all, that means four-fifths of the renewable sources could still be derived from inefficient food crop-based sources (can you say corn ethanol?). It's still a promising start, however, and the type of rethink we hope will gain more currency -- particularly here in the U.S. -- as more lawmakers reach the inevitable conclusion that our biofuel policies, as they currently stand, are broken.
Via ::Reuters: Key EU lawmaker proposes new 2015 biofuel target (news website)
Biofuel controversy in the news
::Reconsider EU Biofuel Goal Says Incoming President
::Secret World Bank Report Says Biofuels Are Prime Cause of Food Crisis
::Biofuels Have Pushed Thirty Million People Into Poverty: Oxfam
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I've never been drawn to biofuel mainly because it costs more than regular! and is less efficient! Im sorry but with the price of gas these days I cant afford to be wasting money and miles on ethanol.
The EU should review also its PAC policies, since there is no food enough including for some europeans. There are information about this in the EC wesites (www.europe.eu). Salvador Trinxet
One day we will see if our biofuel policies, as they currently stand, should be broken, or not. There are some contradictions in the reports about the subject, since there studies published in the two senses, meaning that more deep research should be made about if the biofuel policies are responsible or not for the food shortage. The experience of Brazil will be crucial. Salvador Trinxet. Banco Internacional de Investimentos.
http://www.bancoii.com/aboutus/diversity_and_sustainability.asp
While it's good that the EU is reconsidering its support for biofuels, it's too bad that they feel it requires a reduction in the target standards for renewable sources. Instead, they should keep the 10% standard, but focus more on electric or possibly hydrogen models.
Biofuels are not a great alternative. As jb wrote, they are less efficient, obviously they are causing problems with food prices, and they often also lead to unsustainable agriculture practices in their production, including the overuse of fertilizers and pesticides.
More about biofuels' environmental impacts:
http://www.brightfuture.us/new/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=157&Itemid=71