OECD criticises biofuels policy; calls for more emphasis on cutting fuel consumption
Thu 17 July 2008
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A new report by the OECD says that Government support of biofuel production in OECD countries is costly, has a limited impact on reducing greenhouse gases and improving energy security, and has a significant impact on world crop prices.
The authors say that biofuels are "highly dependent on public funding to be viable" in OECD countries, and cost between €600 and €1,070 per tonne of carbon dioxide equivalent saved.
The report calls on governments to refocus policies to encourage lower energy consumption, particularly in the transport sector.
Meanwhile, ENDS reports that the European Parliament's Industry Committee appears to be on a collision couse with the Environment Committee over the ten per cent biofuel consumption target proposed by the European commission for 2020.
The Environment Committee has voted to scale down the Commission's biofuel target but the Industry Committee rapporteur has insisted the ten per cent target must stay.
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