Brussels, Belgium
February 8, 2006
The European Commission today
adopted an ambitious EU Strategy for Biofuels, with a range of
potential market-based, legislative and research measures to
boost production of fuels from agricultural raw materials. The
paper, which builds on the biomass action plan adopted in
December 2005, sets out three main aims: to promote biofuels in
both the EU and developing countries; to prepare for large-scale
use of biofuels by improving their cost-competitiveness and
increasing research into ‘second generation’ fuels; to support
developing countries where biofuel production could stimulate
sustainable economic growth. Increased use of biofuels will
bring numerous benefits, by reducing Europe’s dependence on
fossil fuel imports, reducing greenhouse gas emissions,
providing new outlets for farmers and opening up new economic
possibilities in several developing countries.
“There has never
been a better moment to push the case for biofuels,” said
Mariann Fischer Boel, Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural
Development. “Crude oil prices remain high. We face stringent
targets under the Kyoto Protocol. And the recent controversy
over imports of Russian gas has underlined the importance of
increasing Europe’s energy self-sufficiency. Raw materials for
biofuel production also provide a potential new outlet for
Europe’s farmers, who have been freed by CAP reform to become
true entrepreneurs.”
Development
Commissioner Louis Michel highlighted the potential
opportunities that biofuels production present for developing
countries, notably those affected by the sugar reform. “Many
developing countries are naturally well placed for the
production of biofuel feedstocks, particularly those
traditionally strong in sugar production. The expanding EU
market for biofuels will provide them with new export
possibilities. The EU will help them maximise this opportunity
with support for knowledge transfer and development of their
market potential.”
The Strategy picks
out seven key policy axes, pulling together the measures the
Commission will take to promote the production and use of
biofuels.
1) Stimulating
demand for biofuels.
A report will be
published in 2006 on a possible revision of the biofuels
directive; Member States must be encouraged to favour biofuels
(including second generation products), and consideration will
be given to biofuel obligations; the Commission has brought
forward a proposal to promote clean and efficient vehicles.
2) Capturing
environmental benefits.
The Commission
will examine how biofuels can best contribute to emission
targets; work to ensure sustainability of biofuel feedstock
cultivation; and look again at limits on biofuel content in
petrol and diesel.
3) Developing
production and distribution of biofuels.
The Commission
will propose a specific group to consider biofuels opportunities
in rural development programmes; and increase monitoring to
ensure no discrimination against biofuels.
4) Extending
supplies of feedstock.
The Commission is
making sugar production for bioethanol eligible for CAP support
schemes; it will assess possibilities to process cereal
intervention stocks; finance an information campaign for farmers
and forest owners; bring forward a forestry action plan; and
look into the possibilities for using animal by-products and
clean waste.
5) Enhancing
trade opportunities.
The Commission
will assess the possibility of putting forward a proposal for
separate customs codes for biofuels; it will pursue a balanced
approach in trade talks with ethanol-producing countries; and
propose amendments to the “biodiesel standard”.
6) Supporting
developing countries.
The Commission
will ensure that measures for ACP Sugar Protocol countries
affected by the EU sugar reform can be used to support the
development of bioethanol production; develop a coherent
Biofuels Assistance Package for developing countries; and
examine how best to assist national and regional biofuel
platforms.
7) Research and
development.
The Commission
will continue to support the development of an industry-led
‘Biofuel Technology Platform’ which will make recommendations
for research in this sector. Biofuels will have a high priority
in the 7th Framework Programme, in particular the ‘bio-refinery’
concept - finding valuable uses for all parts of the plant – and
second generation biofuels. Through research, production costs
could be cut considerably beyond 2010. Through its Intelligent
Energy Europe Programme, the Commission will support market
introduction and the dissemination of proven technologies.
Background
In the EU,
transport is responsible for almost one quarter of greenhouse
gas emissions. It is therefore essential to find ways of
reducing emissions from transport.
Nearly all the
energy used for transport comes from oil, for which the EU is
heavily dependent on imports.
Processed from
biomass - a renewable resource - biofuels is a direct substitute
for fossil fuels in transport and can be readily integrated into
fuel supply systems.
Support to the
biofuel sector also offers new income possibilities in rural
regions and contributes to the Lisbon Agenda by developing
long-term replacements for fossil fuel.
In a number of
developing countries, production of biofuels could stimulate
economic and environmental benefits, create employment, reduce
energy import bills and open up potential export markets. For
example, bioethanol could be a feasible alternative for sugar
producing countries affected by the recent EU sugar reform.
The EU must also
continue to support research into second generation biofuels,
such as ligno-cellulosic ethanol, Fischer-Tropsch biodiesel and
bio-dimethyl ether (bio-DME).
http://europa.eu.int/comm/agriculture/biomass/biofuel/index_en.htm
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