MPs call for biofuel moratorium

The UK Parliament's Environmental Audit Committee has published a report opposing UK and EU targets for increased use of biofuels.

The report "Are biofuels sustainable?" urges the government to balance emission cuts from biofuels with wider environmental impacts.

It points out that biofuels could lead to a range of environmental impacts including water pollution and biodiversity loss.

The report found that biofuels are generally an expensive and ineffective way to cut greenhouse gas.

More greenhouse gas cuts could be achieved at lower cost and risk by implementing a range of other policies

from the report "Are biofuels sustainable?"

The report was the result of a consultation on the sustainability of biofuels. Friends of the Earth championed a moratorium on biofuel targets and the MP committee has followed this recommendation.

Biofuel crops threaten the world's forests

We believe that the current biofuel model and proposed targets are inherently unsustainable.

Friends of the Earth at the Committee hearing

The EU is proposing that all transport fuel will be blended with 10% biofuel by 2020.

Press for change

The European Parliament has an opportunity to object to the 10% target.

Take action now - write to your MEP today through Friends of the Earth Europe's website.

Further reading

Royal Society biofuels warning welcomed
January 2008
Press release on biofuels issued by Friends of the Earth.

Agrofuels: Fueling or Fooling Europe?
(PDF† 174K) October 2007
Friends of the Earth Europe's position on agrofuels/ biofuels.

The use of palm oil for biofuel and as biomass for energy
(PDF† 67K) August 2006
Friends of the Earth's position on the use of palm oil for biofuel and as biomass for energy.

†To view PDF files you will need to download Adobe Acrobat Reader. Visually impaired users can get extra help with these documents from access.adobe.com.

Discuss "MPs call for biofuel moratorium" in our forum

Main image © Friends of the Earth