Biotech Updates

Change in EU Biofuel Policy in European Energy Ministers’ Meeting

July 11, 2008
http://biopact.com/2008/07/eu-to-change-biofuels-policy-imports.html

The Biopact website reports a possible start in the change of EU (European Union) policy on biofuels, after a recent informal meeting of European Energy Ministers. One idea is for the EU to import liquid biofuels from Brazil, instead of producing these in Europe. The production of biofuels in Brazil is said to be 8% to 10% more efficient and 5% cheaper, compared to the cost of producing the biofuel in the EU. Also, “biofuels made in Brazil have not had an impact on global food prices, unlike fuels made in Europe or the US”. There is also a view to rephrase the provision on “the Commission's target of having 10% of all transport powered by 'renewables' by 2020”. The meaning of the word “renewable” will not be confined anymore to “liquid biofuels”. It could also cover the use solid biomass for electricity generation, and biohydrogen, as transport energy options to achieve the target. According to the Biopact website, “ The European Energy Ministers' meeting did not change any concrete policies yet, but the decision makers were in unison over the new view on renewable fuels for transport.”.