Debate has arisen about the sustainability of biofuels in the week the EU announced that 10% of road transport fuel should be produced from renewable sources by 2020.
The Environmental Audit Committee (EAC), a group of MPs that looks at the environmental impact of Government policies, has claimed the EU should not have pursued targets to increase the use of biofuels. Tim Yeo, chairman of the EAC said: “At present most biofuels have a detrimental impact on the environment overall.”
The criticism was inspired by reports of deforestation caused by farming of palm oil in developing countries.
But biodiesel firm Green Fuels has slammed the EAC statement with director Colin Hygate saying “the industry is being criticised because of a lack of understanding of the structure and activity of the industry as a whole – it’s just scaremongering.”
Green Fuels says the issues with palm oil production are not relevant to UK targets as it is not a viable biofuel in this country’s climate. Biodiesel made from palm oil turns solid at temperatures under 16C.
