Biofuels are becoming an increasingly used form of energy as they generally have lower emissions compared to typical fossil fuels. However, the way in which the biofuels are produced, largely how the crops from which they come are grown, can alter their actual impact on the environment. In order to avoid the use of biofuels that are in fact no better than fossil fuels for this reason, the European Union has increased their regulations.
In order to ensure that biofuels being used and imported to the EU are what they claim to be, less harmful to the environment, the EU now has seven schemes in which biofuels must be approved. Companies which produce biofuels are now required to receive certification through these schemes or have it done within a similar national scheme.
The EU schemes will ensure how and where the biofuels used in the EU are produced. The concern is that the biofuel crops could come from locations where forests are cleared to grow the crops- a method which would cause environmental damage and biodiversity loss. Crops could also be grown on wetlands or push out food crops in certain regions. Such conditions concern the EU especially as the increased popularity of biofuels may push companies to circumvent environmental standards in order to make a profit.
The EU is also requiring that the biofuels emit at least thirty-five percent less greenhouse gas emissions over fossil fuels in order to be certified. This percentage will be increasing sometime in the near future according to the EU, making the rules even stricter.
The EU is using biofuels as a component to their overall goal of reducing emissions. Biofuels and other renewable energies are expected to comprise ten percent of transportation fuel across the EU by 2020.
