10 March 2010

'Biofuels harm' claim

The European Commission is being taken to court over its refusal to release information alleged to show that biofuels do more harm than good.

A coalition representing green groups throughout Europe, including the Environmental Transport Association (ETA) in Britain, wants the European Commission to release 140 documents which detail the negative environmental impact of widespread biofuel use in the EU.

The lawsuit is being brought by ClientEarth, Transport & Environment (an umbrella organisation representing the ETA and others), the European Environmental Bureau, and BirdLife International. The group alleges several violations of European laws designed to promote transparency, democracy, and legitimacy in EU policy-making.

The controversy over biofuels centres on indirect land-use change (ILUC) -- the release of greenhouse gas emissions when forests and other natural areas are converted into cropland to replace those croplands lost to biofuel production.

European law requires renewable sources to meet 10% of transport needs by 2020 -- a target which will be met in large part through the use of biofuels despite questions over their environmental impact.