EU ploughs ahead with biofuels11 December 2008
The European Union has come to an agreement on the Renewable Energy Directive.
Friends of the Earth applauds the renewable energy target as a whole.
But we are deeply disappointed with the inclusion of a 10% biofuel target for the transport sector.
Gains lost again
Successful lobbying of MEPs by activists had led to a number of positive amendments to the original proposal.
Unfortunately these improvements were lost again at the last minute in the negotiations between members states and the European Parliament.
The outcome means that biofuel expansion will now go ahead unchecked.
This will result in:
- Deforestation soaring around the world.
- Biodiversity loss.
- Climate change.
- Rising food prices.
Next steps
Friends of the Earth is continuing to campaign on biofuels.
In February, Parliament will debate whether the UK biofuel obligation should be revised.
We will continue to press the case for scrapping biofuels targets.
© Friends of the Earth
