Europe May Restrict Use of Food-Based Biofuels

The European Commission is proposing new rules about for how the region will meet its goal of generating 10% of its transportation energy needs from renewable sources by 2020.

The current 2009 directive bans the conversion of forests and wetlands to make biofuels. It also requires biofuels to emit at least 35% less greenhouse gases than the fossil fuels they replace. That minimum will rise to 50% in 2017.

For new capacity, the EC's proposal would raise the minimum greenhouse gas reduction for new capacity to 60% and limit the contribution of food-based fuels to half the region's 10% biofuel target.

The EC's commissions for climate action says the proposal sends a "clear signal" that growth in biofuel production must come from sustainable materials that don't compete with food.