In oil crisis, bioenergy is only part of the answer

Bioenergy is at the centre of the EU energy debate right now. After the Biodiversity Week and the EU Energy Summit of last week, some clouds are disappearing over the real potential of bioenergy. Euractiv reports that biomass and biofuels are set to cover an ever-increasing share of the EU's future transport and heating needs. But it is certainly not the magical solution, according EU environment chief Stavros Dimas.

The EU has set itself a target of increasing the share of biofuels in transport to 5.75% by 2010. At their annual spring summit in March 2006, EU heads of states and governments suggested that this target could be increased to 8% by 2015, pending further impact analysis.

Bio-energies derived from wood, waste and agricultural crops, are set to grow in importance in the coming years to help the EU out of its oil addiction. But their negative impact in terms of toxic emissions and pollution from over-exploitation of land means they will have to be kept under tight control.

Speaking at a biofuels conference organised by three leading environmental NGOs in Brussels on 7 June, EU environment chief Stavros Dimas said a balanced solution needs to be found in developing bioenergies.

"The Commission needs to consider carefully how policies can best increase use of biomass without damaging the environment, and this must also cover biofuels," Dimas said, conceding that the Commission's policy in this field is "still very much under development".

However, there are some certainties. First, he said, a 360° view is needed on the use of energy derived from biomass, whether in the form of waste, wood or energy crops. "Using biomass for heating and electricity is cheaper and provides far greater avoidance of fossil energy and CO2 than converting biomass to biofuels," he told the conference.

At the same time, he said more biofuels should be called for to help the transport sector out of its oil addiction. "The EU stands to become almost 90% dependent on imported oil in 2030. The present target of 5.75% biofuels by 2010 ensures a basis for development efforts in this sector," Dimas said.

But the current techniques used in biofuels production, which are mainly derived from agricultural crops (so-called 'first generation' biofuels), means the EU will likely not meet this target, Dimas said.

"So-called 'second generation biofuels' seem to have much lower overall greenhouse gas emissions and other environmental impacts than the first generation biofuels that dominate production in the EU today," Dimas said. "They also offer higher potential for production and cost reductions, as they can be based on biowaste with fewer competing end-uses".

However, while the EU waits for a significant contribution of second generation biofuels to the EU's transport sector's energy needs, imports from large producing countries like the US or Brazil will need to be raised.

Investment in second generation bio-fuels may be particularly relevant for the road transport sector, Dimas went on to say, as they can contribute to meeting CO2 emissions reduction objectives. The EU is trying to persuade carmakers into reducing CO2 emissions from new vehicles to 120g/km, down from the 140 g/km that they already agreed to achieve by year 2008-2009.

Should they fail to meet this target, Dimas said "the Commission will consider measures, including legislative ones, to ensure that the necessary reduction of CO2 are delivered".
Positions:

The three environmentlal NGOs organising the conference (the European Environmental Bureau [EEB], BirdLife and Transport and Environment [T&E]) called on the European Commission to introduce sustainability safeguards as part of the ongoing revision of the Biofuels Directive.

"Without safeguards, greenhouse gas (GHG) savings will be negligible, biodiversity will be harmed, and ultimately the public could reject biofuels if they are not seen to be a credible environmental alternative to fossil fuels," the three said.

On 1 June, the French government launched an experimental scheme in the Marne region to run a fleet of seven Ford Focus cars running on 85% ethanol (E85). The so-called flex-fuel is currently not authorised in France but its use is already widespread in Brazil and Sweden. Industry minister François Loos said France was aiming for the approval of E85 early next year with the fuel expected to become widely available by 2010. Renault said it will make half of its cars flex-fuel capable by mid-2009.

"Our objective is simple: we want, by the end of the decade, the market to offer cars that can drive equally with gasoline or with a biofuel that is almost pure," said Loos. France has set itself a target of 7% biofuel use by 2010 and 10% by 2015 (EurActiv 19 May 2006).

On 7 June, the French government set up a biofuels working group to develop steered by former F1 champion Alain Prost. Called "Flex fuel 2010", the group, which brings together the oil industry, farmers, carmakers and consumers, will aim to draw a biofuels action plan during the course of the summer.

Euractiv.