European Commission seeks input on sustainability, via internet

The European Commission has established an internet-based survey to gather industry and public input on sustainability criteria for biofuels. All interested parties are encouraged to visit this link to review and/or complete the survey. The Commission expects to deliver a report on sustainability criteria by the end of 2010.

European Commission background

The proposed DuPont Danisco Cellulosic Ethanol joint venture has received approval from the European Commission, and the companies can now advance in their plans to develop a pilot-scale sugar cane bagasse and corn stover cellulosic ethanol plant in the by 2009. The joint venture partners intend to have a commercial-scale cellulosic ethanol plant operational in the US by 2012, and are investing $140 million in the project.

In England, the Gallagher report by Renewable Fuels Agency chairman Ed Gallagher was published, which credited first-generation biofuels with a potential to increase greenhouse gas emissions and increase global food prices. The report called for a focus on advanced biofuels and targeting of marginal land that it not suitable for food cultivation. It called for the lowering of targets in England’s Renewable Fuel Obligation. UK environmental minister Ruth Kelly endorsed the plan.

European Energy Commissioner Andris Piebalg termed the report “one-sided” and said that the the EU target of 10 percent biofuels by 2020 requires only a 4 million tonne diversion of grains, out of a global production of 2,200 million tonnes.

Meanwhile, the European Parliament passed an amendment 36-0 which would lower the EU target yo 4 percent by 2015, and require another review before proceeding with a target of between 8 and 10 percent for 2020.

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