Making EU state aid guidelines work for energy and environment goals

ePURE, representing European producers of renewable ethanol from crops, waste and residues, has responded to the European Commission's public consultation on its revision of Energy and Environmental State aid Guidelines (‘EEAG’).

EU transport is currently 94% reliant on oil and accounts for one quarter of EU emissions. The EU’s transport emissions are 20% higher than in 1990 and its dependence on fossil fuels has decreased by a mere 2.1% since the 2020 climate and energy package was adopted in 2009.

Sustainable biofuels account for over 89% of the renewable energy in transport, including 60% for crop-based biofuels. With average certified GHG emissions savings of more than 72% compared to fossil petrol, European renewable ethanol produced by ePURE members represents an immediate and cost-effective tool to reduce emissions of the existing and future light and heavy-duty vehicles. Biofuels use should not be limited to transport modes that cannot be electrified.

ePURE's position stresses the following key points:

• The treatment of crop-based biofuels should be revised
• The context under which the existing Guidelines were adopted is no longer valid
• There are no legal grounds to discriminate against sustainable biofuels
• Support schemes are justified where they create a level playing field for biofuels to compete with fossil energy sources and thereby increase the level of environmental protection

Read our full response to the European Commission public consultation here.