EU set to clarify biofuel sustainability rules

Posted 4 November 09

The European Commission (EC) is getting close to providing clarity on how biofuels will meet sustainability and other criteria, according to Ron van Erck, policy officer at DG Energy and Transport.

The EU’s 27 member states must meet a target of 10% renewable fuels in transport by 2020, with national action plans due in June 2010, ahead of a December 6 2010 deadline to transcribe the EU policy to national legislation.

Mr van Erck told delegates at FO Licht’s World Ethanol in Paris that the onus is on economic operators to provide evidence that they comply with all the criteria if they want their biofuel to qualify for support and count toward targets/obligations.

The speaker admitted that many found parts of the system unclear but that guidance would be coming soon.

One of the hottest topics – indirect land use change – should become clearer in 2010, while there will be guides on how to interpret the directive and how to assess carbon stocks this year.

Voluntary sustainability schemes should be able to apply for EC approval later this month, which would mean then all companies could use them to show compliance with relevant parts of the legislation. “We’re almost there and this will provide economic operators one solution for all 27 member states,” he said.

On land use change and greenhouse gas savings, Mr van Erck said that there is no limit on the types of proof that could be provided, which means maps will be recognised.

However, he admitted the EC is not 100% sure how it will assess the viability of these maps.

Source: F.O. Licht’s World Ethanol & Biofuels Report

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