Brussels, 14/07/2008 (Agence Europe) - The environment committee at the European Parliament believes that the draft directive on renewables adopted on 7 July, by 36 votes in favour, none against, and 8 abstentions, calls for a revision in the binding 10% target on biofuels in total fuel consumption in the transport sector by 2020. It wants this figure to be replaced with an 8-10% band for renewable energy, with a binding intermediate target of 4% by 2015. Although the intermediate target should consist of at least 20% electricity or hydrogen from renewable or biogas sources, the energy cluster and the 2020 objectives are expected to be outlined in 2015. The parliamentary committee explains that it considers an 8% target “realistic” and recommends that the 10% target in the text be revised or even removed.
To help attain these targets, the committee is suggesting that member states pool their targets. The countries with the most difficult targets could therefore share the burden with those finding it easier to reduce emissions. The EU as a whole will have to help fund the R&D necessary to achieve this end; part of the funding will come from the Emissions Exchange Scheme. The committee is also calling on the European Commission to elaborate a strategy for increasing renewable energy in transport by 2011.
The environment committee explained that the 10% green energy target in the transport sector involved all renewables and not just biofuels, but it did not exclude the term from the document. On the other had, it is making a distinction between agri-fuels, which involve food production and 2nd generation biofuels. The committee thought that there was a “slim” possibility of a breakthrough in the latter before 2020. It has introduced a much broader term for incorporating fuel for transport and energy from biomass (all sorts of organic energy, including waste).
The committee is proposing the creation of petrol or high quality diesel blends, which would include a 50% minimum of non-fossil fuels. This will be called Eurobio petrol and diesel. Lower quality blends (between 10 and 50% non-fossil fuels) will be called EuroBioblend Petrol or EuroBioblend Diesel for diesel.
The parliamentary committee is proposing the addition of new criteria for biofuel sustainability, such as changes in water quality, water consumption, air pollution and soil quality, as well as for land owners, respect for local communities and native peoples, child protection standards, laws on workers health and ILO recommendations.
The energy committee will adopt the report prepared by Claude Turmes (Greens, Luxembourg) in September on the “renewables” directive before the plenary vote at the end of 2008. (E.H./transl.rh)