What will the future look like for crop-based biofuels in the EU?
As dramatic geopolitical repositioning requires Europe to think more about its resilience, competitiveness and independence, there has never been a more important time for the EU to adopt policies that make the best use of strategic domestic assets.
Renewable ethanol is a certified, sustainable fuel that currently delivers on average 81.6% GHG savings compared to fossil fuels. Crop-based biofuels like renewable ethanol are a proven, scalable and immediately available solution to reduce GHG emissions from road transport. Moreover, EU’s sustainable crop-based biofuels sectors and scientific data have repeatedly demonstrated strategic domestic assets of EU biorefineries producing food, feed and fuel and contributing to EU goals for climate change mitigation, energy independence, food security, and supporting to the rural sector and a competitive economy.
In ePURE's response to the European Commission public consultation on the Post-2030 Renewable energy framework we outline the strategic value of crop-based biofuels alongside advanced ones, address common misconceptions, and provide actionable policy recommendations for the upcoming update of Renewable Energy Directive (EU) 2018/2001 review. By adopting a technology-neutral, science-based pragmatic approach, the EU can unlock the full potential of sustainable biofuels and achieve its climate, energy, and economic goals.
We focus on four main points:
- Falling short on EU transport decarbonisation: RED III targets in transport will not be met
- Enhancing sustainability and greenhouse gas emissions saving criteria for biofuels
- Ensuring fairness and accuracy: Inconsistent GHG accounting across different renewable fuel pathways undermine technology neutrality and EU competitiveness
- Restoring a level playing field for European renewable ethanol feedstocks
Read ePURE's full contribution to the public consultation on the Post-2030 Renewable energy framework here.
