Biofuels election promise, a renewed mandate for renewables

Voters deeply concerned with living costs and climate change are being offered a voice by the European Biodiesel Board, it’s calling for a balanced, inclusive, and affordable climate policy in line with the EU’s net zero by 2050 goal.

The European Biodiesel Board (EBB) recently released a European election manifesto, setting out its view of legislative priorities for the 2024-2029 term, emphasizing the role of domestic sustainable biofuels in achieving a low-carbon transport sector.

Manifesto Launch

Speaking at the launch of the Manifesto, Xavier Noyon, Secretary General of EBB said: “In the run-up to the European elections, sustainability will be one of the most important topics for elected officials. The biggest challenge remains the decarbonization of transport, as the need for transport continues to grow. Biofuels, sourced from sustainable bio-products, continue to be the widest and most available alternative to fossil fuels.”

Legislative Priorities

• The EBB argues for a strategic review of bio-based raw materials in Europe
• A revision of the waste biofuels contribution limit to the Renewable Energy Directive (RED) transport target
• Recognition of the benefits of crop-based biodiesel
• Alignment of the EU Taxonomy with the RED to promote sustainable biodiesel investments

The Board called for a comprehensive vision for renewable fuels beyond 2030, an attractive and harmonised taxation policy to shift demand from fossil diesel to renewable fuels, and revised CO2 emission standards for new vehicles to recognise the role of all renewable fuels in decarbonising transport.

It also urged strict enforcement of trade defence measures against dumping and unfair subsidies, and a review of the sustainability verification regime in the RED to ensure imports comply with the same strict certification criteria as European biofuels.

Parliament Positive on Biofuels

The European Parliament’s current position on biofuels has been largely positive, but the policy picture has been complicated by concerns regarding a sharp increase in biodiesel imports from China since 2023.

These imports are reportedly adulterated fuels, falsely labelled and certified as advanced biofuels, even though they do not meet EU standards. This has led to market distortion and significant losses for EU biofuel producers – an anti-dumping investigation was launched by the European Commission.

The impact of these imports has been so severe that it led to the closure of production sites in several member states. If dumping is confirmed and is found to be harming EU producers, the Commission may impose measures, typically duties on imports, to remedy the effects of the unfair trading.

Biodiesel and Climate Goals

Ahead of the European Parliament elections, the EP recognizes the role of biodiesel in achieving the EU’s climate goals, but it also acknowledges the need for stricter regulations and diversification into other types of biofuels and alternative fuels.

In terms of regulation, the revised version of the Renewable Energy Directive (RED III) contains binding requirements that limit first-generation biofuels based on biomass to a maximum of 7%; and biofuels produced from UCO and animal waste fats are currently limited to a share of 1.7% in 2030, and the inclusion of additional raw-material sources is currently the subject of ongoing debate.

While the blending quotas for traditional biofuels are not being increased, and a B7 protection class will even be established by 2030, the new Refuelled aviation regulation will force the aviation industry to reduce its GHG emissions.

The share of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) is expected to gradually increase from 2% in 2025 to 20% in 2035 and up to 70% in 2050, while a new group of alternative fuels, renewable fuels of nonbiological origin (RFNBO), which includes hydrogen and all eFuels, will likely see their share within this advanced biofuel group reach at least 1% by 2030.

Primary Source of Renewable Energy

Global biodiesel production has seen significant growth, especially between 2000 and 2020. Bioenergy, derived from agricultural, forestry, and organic waste feedstock, remains the primary source of renewable energy in the European Union (EU), accounting for approximately 59% of renewable energy consumption in 2021.

Edgar Ahn, Chief Innovation Officer, BDI-BioEnergy International GmbH argues in BioBased Diesel Daily that: “By expanding the permissible range of raw materials to include ‘non-food crops’ and ‘intermediate crops’, the amount of oil required to expand biodiesel production in the future could be multiplied without jeopardizing food production or misusing valuable agricultural land.”

A European Commission report on bioenergy sustainability, published as part of the 2023 State of the Energy Union Report, reveals that primary solid biofuels (70.3%) constitute the largest share of bioenergy, followed by liquid biofuels (12.9%), biogas/biomethane (10.1%), and the renewable share of municipal waste (6.6%)

Kadri Simson, Commissioner for Energy, emphasized the EU’s commitment to transitioning from natural gas to cleaner alternatives such as biomethane, renewable hydrogen, biogas, and e-gases

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
• SDG 13: Climate Action
• SDG 15: Life on Land

The article discusses the role of biofuels in achieving a low-carbon transport sector and reducing fossil fuel dependence. These issues are connected to SDG 7, which focuses on ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all. The article also mentions the need for strategic reviews, alignment of policies, and recognition of the benefits of crop-based biodiesel, which are related to SDG 9 on industry, innovation, and infrastructure. Additionally, the article highlights the importance of renewable energy sources and their contribution to climate goals, sustainable cities and communities (SDG 11), and preserving biodiversity and ecosystems (SDG 15).

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 7.2: Increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.
• SDG 9.4: Upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable.
• SDG 11.6: Reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities.
• SDG 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning.
• SDG 15.2: Promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests.

Based on the article’s content, the targets mentioned above can be identified. The article emphasizes the need to increase the share of renewable energy, upgrade infrastructure for sustainable industries, reduce environmental impact in cities, integrate climate change measures into policies, and promote sustainable forest management.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Percentage of renewable energy in the global energy mix
• Investment in sustainable infrastructure and industries
• Per capita environmental impact of cities
• Integration of climate change measures in policies and planning
• Extent of sustainable forest management

The article does not explicitly mention specific indicators. However, the identified targets can be measured using indicators such as the percentage of renewable energy in the global energy mix, investment in sustainable infrastructure and industries, per capita environmental impact of cities, integration of climate change measures in policies and planning, and the extent of sustainable forest management.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Table

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Fuente: euractiv.com

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