Energy saving conversion processes

2nd May, 2008

In 2007 the European Commission put forward an integrated energy/ climate change proposal that addressed the issues of energy supply, climate change and industrial development in the EU. To achieve the renewable energy policy goals set out, a directive was proposed in early 2008. This aims to establish an overall binding target of a 20% share of renewable energy sources in energy consumption in 2020 and a binding 10% minimum target for biofuels in transport to be achieved by each member state.

Compared to fossil sources biofuels cost more than other forms of renewable energy and without a separate minimum target for biofuels, they will not be developed. According to the European Commission1 this matters because greenhouse gas (GHG) trends are worst in transport, and biofuels are one of the few measures – alongside vehicle fuel efficiency – realistically capable of making a significant impact on GHG emissions from transport.

In addition, the oil dependence of the transport sector is the most serious security of supply problem.

Finally, there must be investor certainty in the biofuels industry regarding the objectives and the pathway to be followed.

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