The European Commission and the British Government are under renewed pressure to revise their targets for biofuels.
Previously, the British Government had set a target stating that five per cent of transport fuel must be made up of biofuels by 2010. Now however, it is said to be revisiting this proposal. The European Commission meanwhile is under even more pressure, having initially set a target of 10 per cent by 2010.
The move comes as biofuels are placed under increased scrutiny over concerns about their environmental impact. Though they reduce greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventional petrol and diesel, they are not carbon neutral because of the energy required to grow crops and convert them into fuel.
There are also widespread fears that the growth in demand for biofuels is one of the leading causes behind the spike in world food prices. Many farmers have turned away from traditional agriculture to grow crops for biofuels because of their lucrative prices.
As a consequence, an emergency summit has been held in Rome this week to examine the problem with many charities calling on the commission to revise its targets downwards. CEO of Oxfam GB, Barbara Stocking, believes that biofuel targets are having a negative impact on inflation.
“In countries where Oxfam works, we are seeing the negative impact of higher food prices on poor people, who already spend more than half their income on food,” she said.
“A priority is the urgent review of compulsory biofuels targets in rich countries to stop their inflationary impact.
“Recent estimates suggest that increased demand for biofuels accounts for 30 per cent of recent food price rises, while mounting scientific evidence shows biofuels are having an overall negative impact on climate change.”
To learn more about the debate, check out this biofuels guide.
