EU Environment Ministers debate ILUC

The use of biofuels has been growing in the EU in response to the targets set out in the Renewable Energy and Fuel Quality Directives.

Most of today's biofuels are produced from crops grown on agricultural land such as wheat and rapeseed. When agricultural land previously destined for food or feed is diverted to the production of biofuels, the non-fuel demand will still need to be satisfied. When this production is realised through the use of additional land, its conversion could lead to substantial greenhouse gas emissions. 

The ministers agreed on the need to address possible negative impacts of indirect land-use change but expressed different views on how best to resolve the problem while reaching climate and energy targets of the European Union. Some raised concerns about possible impacts of changes in the current policy on existing investments and market stability. 

According to europeanvoice.com, the environment ministers expressed scepticism about the Commission proposal to limit the amount of biofuel made from food crops that can be used to meet the Commission's renewable fuel goals. 

From the debate it was clear that only a few member states support this proposal, writes europeanvoices.com. There is concern that the biofuel industry has made significant investment based on the target set in the legislation, and to change course now would cause the industry to collapse. A Polish official said after the discussion that they and other member states feel that there is a risk that the directive will not be implemented if this sudden change is introduced.    

Minister Hogan, Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government said: “today’s debate was informed and varied and spanned both energy and environmental considerations. This will facilitate the further development of the negotiations on the proposed Directive and we will come back to the Environment Council with a progress report at the next scheduled meeting in June.”

The ministers are expected to cast a vote on the proposal in July this year.