Potocnik supports 'sensible' production of biofuels 'The environmental performance of biofuels depends very much on the different production pathways. If produced and used sensibly, biomass used for fuel can reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It an also be used to reclaim degraded land, reduce erosion, stabilise slopes and improv... 'The environmental performance of biofuels depends very much on the different production pathways. If produced and used sensibly, biomass used for fuel can reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It an also be used to reclaim degraded land, reduce erosion, stabilise slopes and improve water retention and water quality,' reads a statement released by EU Science and Research Commissioner Janez Potocnik on 22 January. The statement follows various reports in the media on the negative environmental impact of biofuels, and a meeting between Mr Potocnik and the European Biofuels Technology Platform. The Technology Platform brings together more than 100 representatives of the agriculture and forestry sectors, as well as the food, paper and biotechnology industries, the biofuels industry, oil companies, car manufacturers, universities and researchers. Its objective is to move forwards with the research needed to develop the use of biofuels in Europe. Biofuels can be broadly defined as solid, liquid, or gas fuels consisting of, or derived from biomass (living or recently living biological material). Some 17 environmental non-governmental organisations recently wrote to the European Commission warning that pursuing biofuels could threaten important ecosystems, increase food and feed prices and lead to water shortages. EU Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas reacted by saying that it would be better for the EU to miss its biofuels targets, agreed last year, than to risk harming the environment. The Strategic Research Agenda of the European Biofuels Technology Platform will be unveiled on 31 January. The document will provide a long-term view on how to over come the technical and non-technical challenges associated with the sustainable use of biofuels in Europe. 'It is well known that the increased use of biofuels will need to be accompanied by technological developments. In particular we discussed the balance of existing 'first generation' biofuels and future 'second generation' biofuels, which can be produced more efficiently, with far fewer emissions and from a wider range of agricultural products,' reads Mr Potocnik's statement. He emphasised that if used sensibly, biofuels can have many environmental benefits, not only in relation to sustainable energy, but also for the land. 'I was extremely encouraged by the clear priority given by the Technology Platform leaders to environmental concerns throughout the biofuels chain. I strongly supported their intention to take into account in their future research issues such as biodiversity, water use and changes in land use, and to closely align their work with [the] Directive on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources.' The Commission also encouraged members of the Platform to get involved with the Bio-energy Europe Initiative, which is to address next generation biofuels within the context of an overall strategy for bio-energy.
