© Copyright Acquisition International 2025 - All Rights Reserved.

Article Image - The Beginning of the End for Bad Biofuels
Posted 15th April 2015

The Beginning of the End for Bad Biofuels

Today the Environment Committee of the European Parliament has confirmed, with an overall majority, a political deal with Council to cap the use of first generation biofuels.

Mouse Scroll AnimationScroll to keep reading

Let us help promote your business to a wider following.

The Beginning of the End for Bad Biofuels
Image

The Beginning of the End for Bad Biofuels

The Environment Committee of the European Parliament has confirmed, with an overall majority, a political deal with Council to cap the use of first generation biofuels.

This vote concludes over 5 years of political wheeling and dealing on the pros and cons of biofuels. The deal is now two rubber-stamping exercises away from becoming legislation: first by the overall EP plenary and second by the Council of ministers. This is expected to happen in April and May.

Trees Robijns states: “The deal voted here today is far from perfect, but one should not be mistaken about the clear message behind it: This is the beginning of the end for first generation biofuels: Europe is capping them because people can no longer afford to have them as part of the future, be it from a climatic, environmental or social perspective. For the first time, all emissions – both direct and indirect – will require reporting so that European citizens are aware of the full impacts. This reporting can be used to inform future policies on renewables especially in the context of the 2030 Climate and Energy Package.”

Despite early warnings by NGOs about the fundamental unsustainability of crop based biofuels, policy makers have indulged in funding this new, falsely sustainable, booming sector. And the direct and indirect effects have been telling: a global increase of demand for agricultural land resulting in forests being cut down and converted into palm oil plantations, and grassland being ploughed to produce rapeseed and maize. The climatic, biodiversity and social effects of this biofuels bonanza have been too large.

This demand for crop based biofuels, largely triggered by tax breaks and blending mandates, has attracted huge investments and displaced food production or natural habitats. From the field to the tank, the naïve dream of feeding our SUVs and trucks with colourful flowers, seeds and “greenery” has revealed its fallacious nature.

“Today”, as Trees Robijns explains, “Europe turns its back to unsustainable biofuels and moves forward. This message should be clear across the planet for policy makers and investors alike. Second generation industry should be careful to draw lessons from this. Renewables must be sustainable, whether it is called bio, advanced or second generation. BirdLife hopes that policy makers will use this vote to be taken as the beginning of a more sustainable future for all bioenergy.”

Categories: Innovation, Leadership


You Might Also Like
Read Full PostRead - Eye Icon
Trademark Law: Trending to the Top
Legal
03/02/2015Trademark Law: Trending to the Top

Edwin Coe believe intellectual property is a vital tool in the creation and protection of dynamic business assets.

Read Full PostRead - Eye Icon
Driven by Success: Auto Europe Group – Imad Khalidi CEO of the Month: USA
Leadership
05/07/2016Driven by Success: Auto Europe Group – Imad Khalidi CEO of the Month: USA

For over half a century, Auto Europe has been a leader in worldwide car rental services.

Read Full PostRead - Eye Icon
Business Leaders to Expand Abroad due to ‘Fear of Missing out’
Finance
08/06/2015Business Leaders to Expand Abroad due to ‘Fear of Missing out’

Businesses more likely to expand when there is potential for missed opportunities

Read Full PostRead - Eye Icon
Duff & Phelps acquisition of American Appraisal
Finance
19/03/2015Duff & Phelps acquisition of American Appraisal

Duff & Phelps Corporation, the premier global valuation and corporate finance advisor, has announced that it has acquired American Appraisal Associates, Inc., a global full-service valuation and fixed asset management advisor. The transaction bolsters Duff & P

Read Full PostRead - Eye Icon
CMA Publishes Statement in Iron Mountain/Recall Merger
M&A
03/02/2016CMA Publishes Statement in Iron Mountain/Recall Merger

The CMA has published a statement as part of its investigation into Iron Mountain’s anticipated acquisition of Recall.

Read Full PostRead - Eye Icon
Merkle’s Acquisition of Periscopix
M&A
21/05/2015Merkle’s Acquisition of Periscopix

Merkle's Acquisition of Periscopix

Read Full PostRead - Eye Icon
Are You Experiencing Flat or Declining Sales?
Finance
04/01/2017Are You Experiencing Flat or Declining Sales?

Flat or declining sales are what many companies and salespeople are facing today. Let’s face the facts - there is a lot of uncertainty right now. All that uncertainty leads to individuals and businesses holding on to their money.

Read Full PostRead - Eye Icon
Shifting Sands – How Bank Managers have Joined the Alternative Finance Boom
Finance
09/03/2018Shifting Sands – How Bank Managers have Joined the Alternative Finance Boom

While many SMEs are worried about the transforming banking landscape, business leaders need not fear that all the experts are disappearing - they may just have to look elsewhere to find them.

Read Full PostRead - Eye Icon
2016 First Quarter Update – Helmores Wealth Limited
Finance
08/06/20162016 First Quarter Update – Helmores Wealth Limited

Helmores Wealth Limited is a full service fiduciary services company based in Christchurch New Zealand, with offices in Shanghai, Beijing, and Labuan.



Our Trusted Brands

Acquisition International is a flagship brand of AI Global Media. AI Global Media is a B2B enterprise and are committed to creating engaging content allowing businesses to market their services to a larger global audience. We have a number of unique brands, each of which serves a specific industry or region. Each brand covers the latest news in its sector and publishes a digital magazine and newsletter which is read by a global audience.

Arrow