Brussels, 10/12/2013 (Agence Europe) - EU28 energy ministers did not reach agreement on the draft Lithuanian Presidency compromise to restrict the use of first generation biofuels to 7%.
Taking account of indirect land use changes (ILUC) when growing biofuels so as to reduce its impact on greenhouse gas emissions is a veritable scientific and technical conundrum. The adoption of new rules for EU policy on biofuels via amendments to the renewables and fuel quality directives and adding the ILUC directive to them is providing to be equally problematic politically.
In 2008, the EU set a target of 10% of renewable energy for transport by 2020, based on the use of biofuels and encouraging investment in the biofuel industry, but the environmental benefit of this has been challenged because of the negative side effect of forcing up the prices of basic food staples, and this has forced the EU to change its line. Keeping the 2020 objective of 10% of transport being fuelled by green energy, the Commission suggests restricting to first generation biofuels to a 5% share. Biofuels derived from crops for food are not felt to be as good as second generation biofuels made from seaweed and garden or green waste. At present, first generation biofuels provide nearly 5% of the fuel for transport across the EU.
Asked to decide on the matter on Thursday 12 December, EU28 energy ministers were unable to agree. A disparate group of countries vetoed the draft legislation that would restrict the use of arable land for the growing of biofuels in the EU. They rejected the Lithuanian Presidency's compromise that would have restricted the EU renewable targets to 7% for first generation biofuels.
Seven member states voted against the draft compromise with its 7% cap on biofuel made from cereal, oil and sugar plants. Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark and Italy want a more ambitious cap of 5%. Hungary and Poland voted against because they say the 7% cap is too low. In September, the European Parliament called for a 6% cap and a compulsory biofuel target of 2.5%.
A rather exotic coalition of member states rejected the compromise, explained Lithuanian Energy Minister Jaroslav Neverovic. He said they included some which wanted higher targets and others which wanted lower. The debate was constructive, however, and areas of concern were identified and possible solution raised, he said.
EU Energy Commissioner Günther Oettinger said it was important that the moderate approach suggested by the Lithuanian Presidency had been recognised by the vast majority of member states. Some member states felt that the amended proposal had been watered down too much, but others felt it went too far. He said talks would now continue to find a compromise with a wide majority of countries, but the crucial thing is that no member states disagreed with the need to change the renewable directive in order to add second generation biofuels and be able to mass-produce them. Himself a supporter of a 5% cap, Oettinger did not hide his exasperation, telling the ministers that it was simply not possible to continue for another seven years with the current directives.
The Greek Presidency, which takes over the presidency of the Council of the EU on 1 January for six months, will now need to decide how to proceed with the ILUC directive. It is not felt likely that agreement will be reached between the member states and European Parliament ahead of the May 2014 European elections.
French ALDE MEP Corinne Lepage, who penned the compromise adopted by the European Parliament, tweeted that this was a victory for biofuel and defeat for the fight against famine and protecting the planet from climate change. “An unholy alliance between the most and least ambitious member states has blocked progress on ILUC at the Council”, tweeted Climate Commissioner Connie Hedegaard, adding: “For how long? Waiting time - uncertainty for biofuel industry”. Environmental pressure group Greenpeace commented: “Today's failure to act on the destructive consequences of EU biofuel policy is unconscionable”.
The first generation biofuel industry is delighted. Under the EBB umbrella group, EU biofuel producers welcomed the Energy Council's rejection of the compromise, stressing the need for more scientific research into the impact of ILUC. (EH/transl.fl)