EU Certification Scheme for Biofuels
02 July 2010
The European Union has recently set up a certification system for biofuels with the aim to improve the implementation of the Renewable Energy Directive.
The Directive, coming into effect in December 2010, sets a target of 20% renewable energy in total energy consumption and a 10% share in the transport sector. Since biofuels are seen as the main alternative to petrol and diesel, it is important to ensure they are also sustainable.
To this extent, industries, governments and NGOs are encouraged to set up voluntary schemes to certify that raw materials do not come from forests, wetlands and protected areas and that biofuels deliver specified amounts of reductions in greenhouse gas emissions compared to fossil fuels.
Independent auditors will be in charge of assessing the whole production chain.
When a certification is not provided, biofuels will still be produced, imported and sold, but they will not be counted towards the aforementioned 10% target.

More information on the matter is available at the EU DG Energy website."
 

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