Biotech Industry Supports Europe's Renewable Energy Directive And Its Sustainability Criteria For Biofuels
EuropaBio welcomes the support the Directive (1) gives to second generation (2) biofuels, but stresses that the next generation of biofuels depends on the success of the first. "Encouraging technological development for both first and second generation biofuels is crucial to meeting the targets set out in the directive" said Kirsten Birkegaard Stær, Chair of EuropaBio's Biofuels Working Group. "EuropaBio supports the inclusion of a minimum greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction qualifying criterion for biofuels set at a realistic level (35%), but the directive needs to do more than just exclude biofuels which may have a detrimental environmental impact." As an important measure in order to stimulate the transition towards next generation biofuels with higher GHG savings, EuropaBio proposes a "stepwise approach" starting with a relatively low GHG savings threshold that increases through time, or alternatively, a system where a moderate threshold could be set as basis, couple! d with an "incentivisation system" rewarding additional GHG savings.
Meeting the EU's target of a 10% biofuels target in 2020 will require a realistic roadmap to implement the different policies sustainably. "As the main driver of Europe's biofuels policy is to achieve environmental, societal as well as economical benefits, sustainability criteria (3) will be important for the long-term political and public support for biofuels" said Johan Vanhemelrijck, Secretary General of EuropaBio. "The use of biomass for fuel purposes should not jeopardize any country's ability to secure its food supply - either inside or outside the EU, nor should it prevent us protecting forests, preventing soil degradation and keeping a good ecological status of waters."
Notes:
(1) Renewable energy directive : Article 18, #4: "...the contribution made by biofuels produced from wastes, residues, non-food cellulosic material, and ligno-cellulosic material shall be considered to be twice that made by other biofuels."
(2) What is the difference between first and second generation biofuel?
First generation biofuel refers to crops that produce energy e.g. energy crops like oil seed rape, maize, etc. Ethanol for example is made from starch and starch today is largely sourced from maize but starch can also be found in many other crops e.g. potatoes. Starch is also used as a food source. Second generation biofuels however use the part of the plant that is not used as food e.g. the stem or stalk and turn that into fuel. We need the first generation in order to achieve success with the second generation biofuels.
(3) EuropaBio environmental sustainability criteria for biofuels.
About EuropaBio
EuropaBio's mission is to promote an innovative and dynamic biotechnology-based industry in Europe. EuropaBio, (the European Association for Bioindustries), has 87 corporate and 8 associate members operating worldwide, 6 Bioregions and 25 national biotechnology associations representing some 1800 small and medium sized enterprises.
http://www.europabio.org
Biotehnologie Industria susþine energia regenerabilã în Europa directivã ºi din Criteriile de durabilitate pentru biocombustibili - Biotech Industry Supports Europe's Renewable Energy Directive And Its Sustainability Criteria For Biofuels - articole medicale engleza - startsanatate