The European Commission confirmed on September 17 that it plans to limit crop-based biofuels to 5 percent of transport fuel because too much grain is being used for ethanol. The impact of grain-based ethanol is causing tighter food supply and pushing consumer prices higher. EU Climate Commissioner Connie Hedegaard and Energy Commissioner Guenther Oettinger announced the 5-percent ceiling.
“It is wrong to believe that we are pushing food-based biofuels,” the commissioners said. “In our upcoming proposal for new legislation, we do exactly the contrary: we limit them to the current consumption level, that is 5 percent up to 2020.” “The commission’s message for post-2020 is that our clear preference is biofuels produced from non-food feedstocks, like waste or agricultural residues such as straw. These new types of biofuels are not in competition with food, nor do they require additional land. We are pushing biofuels that help us cut substantial CO2-emissions, do not compete with food, and are sustainable and green at the same time.” The draft proposals will require the approval of EU governments and lawmakers.
