EU threshold for GHG reductions from biofuels rises to 50%

The EU’s biofuels industry is having to demonstrate a higher threshold for greenhouse gas emissions reductions compared with standard fossil fuels, a lobby group has reminded industry participants ahead of industry conference in Berlin next week.

The Union for the Promotion of Oil and Protein Plants (UFOP) highlighted the change in the EU's “ILUC Directive” that entered into force on 1 January.  

“In accordance with this, biofuels from cultivated biomass must demonstrate a reduction in greenhouse gases compared to fossil fuels of at least 50% to be recognised as meeting national quota specifications or to be considered for tax relief. Previously the statutory specification was only 35%, UFOP said. 

It added: “The UFOP notes that France even stipulates a GHG reduction of 60% for third-country imports in order to prevent imports of soy methyl ester from Argentina.

The scaling up of the requirements comes against the backdrop of EU ambassadors this week dropping an appeal of a European court ruling that annulled EU duties imposed in 2013 on Argentinian biodiesel.  

UFOP said it is working on the assumption that all quantities of biofuel would require an appropriate GHG certification as evidence.

UFOP is one of the organisers of the ‘Fuels of the Future’ conference in the German capital on January 22/23, an event that will include senior officials from Germany’s transport.