Website: ec.europa.eu/comm/agriculture/biomass/biofuel/index_en.htm
Eine EU-Strategie für Biokraftstoffe
Stratégie de l'UE en faveur des biocarburants
The EU is supporting biofuels with the aim of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, boosting the decarbonisation of transport fuels, diversifying fuel supply sources, offering new income opportunities in rural areas and developing long-term replacements for fossil fuel.
Climate change, rising oil prices and a concern for future supplies, have led to a growing interest in the potential of using biomass for energy purposes. In December 2005 the European Commission adopted an Action Plan designed to increase the use of energy from forestry, agriculture and waste materials.
The European Commission is now focusing on transport, which is responsible for around 21% of the EU's harmful greenhouse gas emissions.
A wide range of actions is already being taken. Vehicle manufacturers are developing new models that are cleaner and more fuel efficient. Efforts are being made to improve public transport and rationalise the transportation of goods.
Biofuels can also make a contribution. Processed from biomass, a renewable resource, biofuels are a direct substitute for traditional petrol and diesel and can readily be integrated into fuel supply systems. Biofuels could also help prepare the way for other advanced transport fuel alternatives.
Although most biofuels are still more costly to produce than fossil fuels, their use is increasing in countries around the world. Encouraged by policy measures, global production of biofuels is now estimated to be over 35 billion litres.
In 2003 the Biofuels Directive on the promotion of the use of biofuels and other renewable fuels for transport, set out indicative targets for Member States. To help meet the 2010 target - a 5.75% market share for biofuels in the overall transport fuel supply - the European Commission has adopted an EU Strategy for Biofuels, along seven policy axes:
Follow-up work in 2006 will include a review of the Biofuels Directive, and its possible revision; a proposal for the revision of the Fuel Quality Directive; and a review of the implementation of the energy crop premium introduced by the 2003 CAP reform.
To find similar reports, click on a keyword below:
Agriculture and Forestry
: Biodiesel
: Biomass & Bioenergy
: Clean Transport
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: Energy from Waste
: Ethanol
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: Liquid Biofuels
: Public Transport
: Renewable Energy Sources & Systems
: Sustainable Transport
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An EU Strategy for Biofuels