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The Political and Environmental Landscape for Biofuels in the EU Transport Sector

Published by: Datamonitor

Published: Aug. 26, 2008 - 17 Pages


Table of Contents


DATAMONITOR VIEW
CATALYST
SUMMARY
SOURCES
ANALYSIS
Since 2003, the EU has introduced a number of measures to encourage the use of biofuels
The 2003 Biofuels Directive has been the main source of legislation encouraging the uptake of biofuels
The Energy Crop Premium has acted as a strong incentive for EU farmers to grow energy crops
Despite all EU Member States having set targets for biofuels, they have generally been unsuccessful at meeting them
Only seven Member States reached their biofuels consumption target in 2006
The majority of EU Member States have set their biofuels consumption targets to 2010
Excise duty exemption and blending obligations are the main tools used by governments to encourage the use of biofuels
A number of EU Member States use annual blending obligations to meet their targets
Tax exemptions for biofuels have been the traditional carrot used to encourage the consumption of biofuels
Sweden and France have been the most innovative with regards to offering additional incentives
Current controversies surrounding biofuel supply have weakened the political argument for biodiesel and bioethanol
International organizations have been particularly critical of the effect that biofuels have had on food prices
Studies have claimed that even when analyzed on a well-to-wheel basis biofuels emit more CO2 than fossil fuels
Reports outlining the negative effects of biofuels have provided a number of recommendations
While generally remaining committed to the Biofuels Directive, the enthusiasm of some of the main EU Member States has begun to wane
While targets will remain, efforts are being made to reduce the negative impact of the production of biofuels
A number of proposals have been put forward to decrease the harm done by the production of biofuels
In the longer term, politicians hope that second-generation technology will ultimately enable biofuels to be produced in a less damaging way
APPENDIX
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Disclaimer
List of Figures
Figure 1: In 2005, German farmers had 1.4% of the country's utilized farmland under the Energy Crop Premium
Figure 2: Germany surpassed its 2006 biofuels target by 4.3 percentage points
Figure 3: Most EU Member States have given themselves a target for biofuels to account for 5.75% of total road fuel by 2010
Figure 4: Almost all countries reduce excise duty on biofuels
Figure 5: Austria, Finland, the Netherlands and Slovakia have placed a legal obligation on fuel retailers to incorporate 5.75% biofuels in 2010
Figure 6: Only four EU Member States do not offer a complete or partial reduction on fuel duty for biofuels
Figure 7: One study has shown that when calculated on a well-to-wheel basis, ethanol vehicles emit 93% more CO2 than regular gasoline vehicles
Figure 8: 90% of the 25 industry executives interviewed believed that biofuels production causes food price increases
Figure 9: Of the EU Member States that have announced their stance on biofuels in 2008, many have voiced concerns about consumption targets
Figure 10: Three options are currently being discussed by EU Member States which are aimed at improving the sustainability of biofuels

Abstract

Introduction

This brief provides an update of the environmental landscape and legislation surrounding biofuels. It considers the current controversies surrounding biofuel supply and outlines how this has impacted political support for the fuel at a national and EU level.

Scope
  • An overview of the EU legislation governing biofuels and a review of how Member States have adapted road fuel policies accordingly
  • Analysis of the environmental arguments against biofuels including the views of Member States regarding EU targets
  • An evaluation of the proposals being put forward to make biofuels more sustainable and the relative support for these measures in different countries
Highlights

Despite all EU Member States having set targets for biofuels consumption, they have generally been unsuccessful at meeting them. Indeed, in 2006 only seven of the 25 EU Member States met their targets: Germany, Austria, UK, Sweden, Romania, Denmark and Luxembourg. Bulgaria, Italy and Slovakia missed their targets by widest margins.

Controversies surrounding the production of energy crops have weakened enthusiasm for biofuels targets amongst politicians. The core criticisms surround the negative effects that the cultivation of energy crops is said to have on the environment and food prices. As a result many countries have called for the legislation to be reviewed.

Whilst biofuels consumption targets are expected to remain, efforts are being made to reduce the negative impact of biofuels production. It is most likely that legislation will require targets to be contingent on energy crops being produced from a sustainable source. As such, fuel retailers are likely to be required to certify the biofuels they sell.

Reasons to Purchase
  • Understand the key legislation surrounding targets for the use of biofuels and how it been interpreted by national governments.
  • Gauge where the demand for biofuels is highest and where political support for their use will continue to be strongest
  • Assess how Member States are reconsidering the importance of targets due to the criticisms of biofuels production and plan investments accordingly.
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