EuropaBio sets out policy for biofuels

The policy document, covering first and second generation biofuels, notes that the available biomass will need to increase in order to achieve the ambitious goals for biofuel use set by the EU – of 5.75 per cent by 2010 and 10 per cent by 2020 – in a sustainable and competitive way. Cultivating energy crops on set-aside and non-cultivated land will contribute, but this will not be sufficient to fulfill all the demand.

Both output per hectare and crop quality needs to be increased to provide more fermentable carbohydrates or higher oil content crops. This can be done by applying modern plant breeding techniques and biotechnology, in combination with new crop protection techniques.

One of the most important steps will be the development of second generation biofuels produced from cellulose and organic agricultural waste. The development of cellulose degrading enzymes with improved efficiency will be crucial to achieving this.

“Biotechnology is one of the most effective and innovative tools we have for attaining European targets for biofuel use in a sustainable way . We are all excited about getting to the second generation biofuels, but […] in order to do this, a market for first generation biofuels is needed, with an appropriate infrastructure and distribution,” says Steen Riisgaard, President of Novozymes and Chairman of EuropaBio.

The EuropaBio response calls for initiatives to boost the use of biofuels and advocates a step-by-step approach move from the current first generation to more advanced biofuels, including:

• the implementation of binding targets for blending biofuels with petrol and diesel;
  
  
• changing fuel standards to permit a higher biofuel content in blends of petrol and diesel;
  
  
• regulating to encourages biofuels which are most effective in reducing green house gas emissions.

EuropaBio calls for a similar approach to that taken by the US and China, which it believes will allow second-generation biofuels to become a viable, commercial business within the next four to six years. This would include support to further research in second generation technologies as well as funding for demonstration projects.

Developing the integrated, diversified biorefinery – an integrated cluster of industries, using a variety of different technologies to produce chemicals, materials, biofuels and power from biomass raw materials – will be a key element.

Finally, EuropaBio wants European legislators to establish a certification system for sustainable production and use of biofuels to ensure that biomass production complies with good agricultural and labour practices, ensures a balance between food and non-food crop production, and meets international standards and agreements.