EC calls for limits on food-based biofuels
The European Commission (EC) says it is proposing limits on food-based biofuels in an effort to stimulate development of "second generation" biofuels from non-food feedstock to meet the European Union (EU)'s renewable energy target.
"For biofuels to help us combat climate change, we must use truly sustainable biofuels," Commissioner for Climate Action Connie Hedegaard said in a statement.
"We must invest in biofuels that achieve real emission cuts and do not compete with food."
The EU's Renewable Energy Directive requires the transport sector to use 10 percent renewable energy by 2020, a goal that the industry is likely to meet largely using biofuels.
Biofuels emit less greenhouse gases than fossil fuels, but if biofuel production causes more land to be converted to agricultural uses, it can indirectly add as much to greenhouse gas emissions as traditional fuels.
Second-generation biofuels from sources like waste or straw are considered more sustainable and avoid impacts on food production.
Despite the new language on food-based biofuels, UK newspaper The Guardian reports that the EC "watered down" proposals that would hold fuel suppliers accountable for the indirect climate impact of biofuels.
New technology is being developed to obtain biofuel from sources including algae and food waste, but so far most of the EU's biofuel comes from first-generation sources.
