Wednesday 29 April 2015

EU caps crop-based biofuels

The European Parliament agreed new EU laws today which will limit the use of crop-based biofuels.

EU law makers said biofuels compete with food production, contribute to climate change and put pressure on land use.

A limit has been set on the amount of biofuels from crops at 7% of EU transport energy.

Europe is the world’s biggest user and importer of biodiesel from crops such as palm oil, soy and rapeseed.

The vote is expected to have an impact around the world and more significantly in the EU’s main supplier countries of Indonesia, Malaysia and Argentina.

Friends of the Earth Europe’s biofuels campaigner Robbie Blake said: “These fuels do more harm than good for people, the environment and the climate.

“The EU’s long-awaited move to put the brakes on biofuels is a clear signal to the rest of the world that this is a false solution to the climate crisis. This must spark the end of burning food for fuel.”