The case for European renewable ethanol in shipping and aviation

ePURE's David Carpintero writes in Ethanol Producer Magazine: "The EU’s ambitions to be a world leader in the fight against climate change are admirable but daunting—which makes it all the more vital for policymakers to take a pragmatic approach that uses every available sustainable emissions reduction technology.

"This is especially clear in the latest EU figures on renewable energy compiled by Eurostat, which show that the bloc is still heavily dependent on fossil fuel in transport once the influence of artificial multipliers is removed—more than 92% in 2022, compared to just 7% renewables. It’s clear that more needs to be done to promote real renewables in transport.

"Unfortunately, in some cases the EU has chosen a more dogmatic approach that excludes practical solutions. This is especially true when it comes to biofuels. That’s why the European renewable ethanol industry has chosen to challenge two of the flagship policies of the EU’s Green Deal for failing to recognize the proven benefits of crop-based biofuels.

"In December, European ethanol producers launched a legal challenge to the EU’s FuelEU Maritime Regulation, which aims to decarbonize the shipping industry; in January, the industry filed a similar case against the ReFuelEU Aviation Regulation, which seeks to decarbonize air transport."

Read the full article in Ethanol Producer Magazine.