Brussels plans more action to tackle biofuels side-effects

The European Commission published on the 22 December 2010 a report on indirect land use change related to biofuels and bioliquids. The report acknowledges that indirect land use change can reduce greenhouse gas emissions savings associated with biofuels, but also identifies a number of uncertainties associated with the available models.

The report announced that the Commission will conduct an impact assessment, thereby taking into consideration potential changes to the existing legislation. If needed, the Commission will recommend to address this issue under a precautionary approach. In addition the Commission will continue to conduct work in this area in order to ensure that policy decisions are based on the best available science and to meet its future reporting obligations on this matter.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Bioenergy http://www.europeansources.info/record/website-biomass/

ESO: Background information: Renewable energy: Biofuels and other renewable energy in the transport sector http://www.europeansources.info/record/website-renewable-energy-biofuels/

ESO: Background information: EU biofuel policy will increase CO2 emissions, study says http://www.europeansources.info/record/eu-biofuel-policy-will-increase-co2-emissions-study-says/

European Commission: Press Release, IP/10/1772: Biofuels: Commission adopts Report on indirect land use change http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/10/1772&format=PDF&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

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