Brussels, April 2010

In a new report, the European Environment Agency reaffirms the need to develop biofuels in order to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in Europe and to reduce demand for more expensive and environmentally damaging unconventional oils. It also states that the majority of existing biofuels will meet sustainability requirements with the possible excepton of some imported fuels, which may have indirect influence on land use in third countries.

The report ‐ Towards a Resource‐Efficient Transport System ‐ presents an overview of transport's impact on the environment, built on an analysis of 40 policy‐relevant indicators. The report raises serious concerns regarding persistent growth in transport's greenhouse gas emissions.

In EEA countries, greenhouse gas emissions from road transport grew by about 28% between 1990 and 2007, and now account for one quarter of total EU emissions.

"Even though car manufacturers have made progress in developing vehicle technologies that reduce GHG emissions, the fact that traffic levels are growing negates the efficiency gains", said eBIO's Rob Vierhout. "Biofuels are the only way to mitigate these emissions in a substantial manner, now. Biofuels can be used in today's vehicle fleet. We also welcome the fact the report confirms that biofuels produced in Europe have no adverse effects on land use. This is further confirmed by a number of independent studies now being released."

The document indicates that among 32 EEA countries, only Germany and Sweden are on track to meet their 2010 indicative targets for biofuels use. The EU has a target to increase the share of renewable energy to 20% by 2020. This includes a binding target of 10% renewable in road transport, most of which is expected to come from sustainable Biofuels.

The report concludes that high oil prices have made Biofuels more economically attractive, they have also led to increased viability of oil sands which come with a much higher environmental cost than conventional oil. In this respect, every tonne of biofuel produced reduces demand for petroleum products and results in less need to resort to expensive and polluting oil sands to make up the deficit.

Ends --