Strong approach needed for biofuels policy

Brussels, BELGIUM – The European Commission should apply its own latest available science on biofuels if the EU renewable energy policy is to be a success, says the European renewable ethanol association (ePURE).

In its July Communication on Low Emission Mobility, the Commission indicated it is considering a complete phase-out of  all conventional biofuels - despite the Commission’s own analyses showing the environmental benefits of conventional  biofuels varies considerably. In a new position paper, ePURE argues the Commission should provide policy support to conventional biofuels that measurably show strong environmental performance, such as European ethanol, and phase out those biofuels that pose high risks of indirect land use change (ILUC), such as biofuel made from palm oil and imported used cooking oil.

European ethanol is proven to have low ILUC risks and 64% direct GHG savings on average compared to fossil fuel. Phasing it out goes contrary to the Commission’s scientfic analyses and will rob transport of a credible green alterna0ve to petrol. Ethanol is needed because other alternatives (e.g electrification) will not ramp up quickly enough to make a significant contribution to the 18-19% transport emission reduc0ons needed to achieve the EU target of 40% emission reductions by 2030.

ePURE urges the Commission to reconsider the direction it is taking with its future policy for biofuels and propose policy  measures that promote sustainable biofuels that are “ILUC compliant”, irrespective of whether they are conventional or  advanced. Policy must allow all sustainable biofuels, conventional and advanced, to contribute to the EU climate  objectives, through either binding blending targets or an obligation to reduce the CO2 intensity of transport fuels.

"A one-size-fits-all approach to conventional biofuels risks throwing out the good biofuels along with the bad. The  Commission should apply its own science and support all sustainable biofuels, including European ethanol. In this way, the  Commission can design a policy that incentivises better environmental performance and maximises emissions savings”, said Robert Wright, Secretary General of ePURE.

About ePURE

The European renewable ethanol association (ePURE) represents the interests of European renewable ethanol producers to the European institutions, industry stakeholders, the media, academia and the general public.

The organisation, established in 2010, promotes the beneficial uses of ethanol throughout Europe.

Based in Brussels, ePURE represents 42 member companies, with production plants in 16 member states, accounting for 85% of the installed renewable ethanol capacity in Europe.

For further information about ePURE, please visit the website here.