Outlook
Regarding the binding nature and level of the target for many MEPs, not necessarily the majority, the final position will depend on the design of the sustainability scheme. It is clear from the first debates, which took place in the responsible parliamentary committees that a majority of MEPs still favour the mandatory nature provided there will be a robust system of sustainability criteria in the law. Less certain is the level of the target. There is a strong call in the EP Environment Committee by several for only 8%. This call for a lower target has somewhat tuned down when it became clear that the target is not a biofuel target per sé but a renewable energy for transport target. This means that the target can also be achieved through green electricity for transport and bio-hydrogen. Several MEPs have indicated they are going to table amendments that will include a sub-target for green electricity and 2nd generation biofuels to justify the 10% target.
It is still too early to tell what will be the final outcome of the debate. eBIO’s provisional assessment is that things are moving into the right direction. The mandatory nature will most likely stay in place whereas the target could be conditioned through sub-targets (something not favoured by the European Commission though). On the GHG saving we can expect a higher threshold (most likely 50%) but not before 2015, possibly even later. Social criteria will certainly be part of the set of sustainability criteria whereas it is still open how strict the criteria have to be applied.
Whether we will have a less blurred picture before the summer is increasingly unlikely. In the Parliament over 1500 amendments have been tabled on the RES-D. The decision-making on this tsunami of amendments will take its time. However, by the end of September we should be able to see much clearer. Moreover, the European Council of heads of state and government leaders agreed that the French Presidency should try to wrap up both files by the end of their Presidency (31 December of this year). Overall: the signs are relatively positive especially when crude oil prices are increasing by the day.
For additional information contact:
European Bioethanol Fuel Association (eBIO)
Ms Gloria Gaupmann, Assistant Secretary General