New EU policy proposals will radically change biofuels sector across Europe

Oct. 31, 2012 - PRLog -- (31 October, 2012) LONDON – On October 17th, The European Commission announced a major new policy direction (http://ec.europa.eu/clima/policies/transport/fuel/docs/com_2012_595_en.pdf) aimed at driving the production and consumption of next generation biofuels within Europe.

The proposals, announced jointly by DG Energy and DG Climate Action, look to limit the use of food-based biofuels. The EU has a target that by 2020, 10% of energy used in transport will come from renewable sources. Under the new proposals, just 5% of that will be allowed to come from food-based biofuels.

The intention of the new proposal is two-fold. Firstly, to promote biofuels that offer real and substantive cuts in emissions once alternative land-use standards have been considered. Secondly, for the EC to establish a clear position on the food vs. fuel debate and encourage the establishment of a bio-economy that does not risk contributing to escalating food prices by competing for edible feedstocks.

Energy Commissioner Günther Oettinger said: "This proposal will give new incentives for best-performing biofuels. In the future, biofuels will be saving more substantial greenhouse gas emissions and reduce our fuel import bill."

Commissioner for Climate Action Connie Hedegaard said: ''For biofuels to help us combat climate change, we must use truly sustainable biofuels. We must invest in biofuels that achieve real emission cuts and do not compete with food. We are of course not closing down first generation biofuels, but we are sending a clear signal that future increases in biofuels must come from advanced biofuels. Everything else will be unsustainable''.

In November, Green Power Conferences are organising a webinar (http://www.worldbiofuelsmarkets.com/EF/?sSubSystem=Prospe...) that will look at the new proposals. During the webinar, scheduled for Monday, November 19th, Marie Donnelly, Director of Renewable Energy Sources at the European Commission DG Energy, will outline her views on what the new proposals mean for the future of first and next generation biofuels production and consumption within Europe.

The webinar will act as an introduction to the European Advanced Biofuels Congress that will take place in Brussels, December 4th and 5th . This major new industry event brings together 60 leading policymakers, producers, stakeholders, financiers and interest groups and a completely unique and extremely timely set of seven extended panel discussions that aim to act as a platform for driving forward the development of the next generation European bio-economy.

More information on the conference agenda, and registration is available at www.worldbiofuelsmarkets.com/EABC, by following @GreenPowerMC (https://twitter.com/#!/GreenPowerMC) on Twitter or by joining our Linkedin group European Advanced Biofuels Congress (http://www.linkedin.com/myGroups?trk=hb_side_grps_top).

Note to Editors

Green Power Conferences are pleased to welcome journalists to attend the 2012 European Advanced Biofuels Congress free of charge. To request a press pass please email michael.chaplin@greenpowerconferences.com

About Green Power Conferences

Green Power Conferences (http://www.greenpowerconferences.com/) is the market leader in renewable energy conferences. Since 2003, over 15,000 delegates have attended more than 300 conferences, exhibitions, workshops and training courses providing strategic business intelligence to the renewable energy and sustainability industries. Green Power’s expertise lies in producing high quality, interactive events that provide ample networking opportunities for delegates, sponsors and partners. More information and a full list of current conferences is available at: www.greenpowerconferences.com.

Media Contacts

Michael Chaplin

European Advanced Biofuels Congress Marketing Manager

Green Power Conferences

michael.chaplin@greenpowerconferences.com

+44 (0)203 384 8870