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Latest in Bioenergy
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Ministers place biofuels in a policy vacuum
Energy Ministers today failed to agree reforms to the EU laws that promote the use of biofuels for transport. Current EU legislation is flawed and unfit for the purpose of delivering verifiable greenhouse gas emission reductions from the transport sector.
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European Parliament has opportunity to set EU biofuels policy on a more sustainable trajectory
11 September 2013 – Today’s MEPs will look to agree the European Parliament’s approach to address indirect land use change (ILUC) impacts from the production and consumption of biofuels in the EU.
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Press release - Shifting away from conventional biofuels
15 May – A new report produced by IEEP for ActionAid suggests that a sustainable advanced biofuel sector in the UK could not only lead to thousands of new jobs but also help to deliver better greenhouse gas (GHG) savings and improve the overall environmental and social performance of the biofuel sector.
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Shifting away from conventional biofuels
The UK has ample potential to use wastes and residues for advanced biofuels and create jobs in this emerging industry – but safeguards are key to ensure this is done in an environmentally sustainable way.
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Welcome move on ILUC by the European Parliament’s rapporteur
IEEP welcomes the progressive draft report by French MEP Corinne Lepage on the European Commission’s proposal on indirect land use change (ILUC).
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The sustainability of advanced biofuels in the EU
Using wastes and residues for biofuels has many advantages. But ensuring sustainability and including safeguards in EU legislation are critical issues.
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Alternative means of reducing CO2 emissions from UK road transport
Up to 2020 greater use of renewable electricity is the leading alternative to biofuels to reduce the carbon intensity of car and rail transport fuels. To realise this potential requires a mix of responses, including: increasing the decarbonisation of existing transport fuels; improving the energy efficiency of vehicles; and changing the way vehicles are used.
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Addressing ILUC? The European Commission’s proposal on indirect land use change
The European Commission’s proposal on indirect land use change – what’s in it for mitigating emissions? Read IEEP’s latest Biofuel ExChange briefing.
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The role of bioenergy in Europe's energy future
IEEP’s review questions the potential contribution of increased use of biomass for heat and electricity generation to reduce emissions.
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Bioenergy and climate change: hard questions to answer
We have a policy framework which will drive greater use of bioenergy to 2020 but with no associated guarantee of reductions of greenhouse gas emissions, concludes IEEP report.
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Overdue rethink on biofuels undermined by industry lobby
The Commission has finally taken half a step towards addressing the indirect land use change (ILUC) from biofuels. David Baldock, Director of IEEP, said, ‘it is very dispiriting to see that after such a long internal debate, the Commission has backed down in the face of intense pressure from the biofuel and farming industry. As a result, a hard fought agreement has been compromised.’
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Draft ILUC proposal leaked
The European Commission's draft proposal for a Directive on the indirect land use change (ILUC) from biofuels was leaked to the public in mid-September 2012. This briefing summarises and reacts to these leaked proposals.
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Systemic approach to adaptation to climate change and renewable energy harnessing (Biomass and Mini-hydro)
Biochar has the potential to both mitigate greenhouse gases, and to act as an adaptation measure in terms of responding to the impacts of climate change. Based on its compatibility with the appropriate soil properties, it could increase the resilience of soil to erosion.
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Biofuels and Agricultural Commodity Prices: A Review of the Evidence Base
EU biofuel use will increase the global prices of agricultural commodities, most notably oilseeds and vegetable oils. This requires close attention by policy makers.
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Mobilising Cereal Straw in the EU to Feed Advanced Biofuel Production
This IEEP report, commissioned by Novozymes, considers the existing barriers, environmental risks and opportunities and the potential agricultural policy stimuli needed in order to mobilise cereal straw for advanced biofuel production in the EU.
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Responsible Bioelectricity – Renewables Obligation Consultation Response
The Renewables Obligation (RO) is the UK’s keynote policy for the support of renewable electricity; but currently it fails to reflect the diversity of bioenergy feedstocks. IEEP is calling on the UK government to amend the RO’s bands to allow elevated support – an ‘environmental bonus’ – for the most environmentally responsible bioenergy solutions.
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Securing Biomass for Energy
A new IEEP report outlining how to develop a UK bioenergy sector that mitigates environmental risks and promotes win-win situations for renewables deployment and biodiversity.
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The Interactions between European Policy Drivers for Increasing the Use of Biofuels in Transport
Ian Skinner and Bettina Kretschmer explain the complex interaction mechanisms between the EU’s Renewable Energy Directive and the Fuel Quality Directive.
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The Land-Use Implications of EU Bioenergy Policy: Going Beyond ILUC
A new IEEP briefing discusses some of the modelling work that is undertaken in support of quantifying the land use change impact of biofuel use.
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Bioenergy in the National Renewable Energy Action Plans: Issues and Uncertainties
Bogdan Atanasiu’s analysis of National Renewable Energy Action Plans reveals that more than half of the renewable energy which EU Member States expect to consume annually by 2020 will consist of bioenergy.
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Developing a sustainable future for biofuels
Disseminating knowledge and informing the debate around the future of biofuel policy in the EU.