Climate Change & Energy

Latest in Bioenergy

• Moving the debate on sustainable bioenergy to 2030

  On 30th November, the European Commission published a “Winter package” of policy proposals, including for bioenergy in the form of a revised Renewable Energy Directive. Although encouraging to answer the many requests for policy certainty, a number of key questions about the right and most appropriate approach to deliver sustainable bioenergy still remain and need further scrutiny.

• Assessing sustainable biomass availability

  Dr. Ben Allen presented IEEP’s views on the sustainable use of biomass at an international conference in Brussels. Understanding the scale of the resource is a key part of determining appropriate policy intervention and ensuring commercial viability.

• The Manual: Chapter 3 - Climate change

  This is a chapter of IEEP’s Manual of European Environmental Policy. This chapter on EU climate change policy outlines the initial EU programme to stabilise CO2 emissions in the EU with explanations of the directives, decisions and legislation that were employed to improve energy efficiency and reduce emissions.

• Greener Britain: Practical proposals for party manifestos from the environment and conservation sector

  A coalition of the UK’s leading environmental groups, including IEEP, is calling for all political parties to commit to a greener Britain by 2020 by pledging seven major priorities to reform the way we use energy, build communities and protect nature.

• Press release - Biofuels don’t deliver but bioresources have promise

  Biofuels produced from conventional agricultural crops deliver only limited reductions in greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) and compete for limited supplies of land.

• Waste-based biofuels sector needs smarter EU 2030 package to realize its high potential

  A robust sustainability framework and ambitious decarbonisation targets for transport fuels in 2030 are necessary to ensure efficient waste utilisation and the long-term reduction of transport emissions.

• 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.

• Time to decide – What’s at stake as European energy ministers vote on biofuels?

  Europe’s Energy Ministers must seize the opportunity to set future EU biofuels policy on a more sustainable trajectory.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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).

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.’

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.