Ref. Ares(2019)5332022 - 21/08/2019
Meeting with CEO's from European Advanced Biofuel Companies – 25 February '16
, will not join the meeting. He will have to leave after an
event in the EP, where also VP Sefcovic and Jerzy Buzek, MEP, speak.
Commission position
• 1st Generation Biofuels (based on food crops) wil no longer receive public support after
2020 (Questions on compromising food security and environmental damage)
• Policy development should focus on 2nd and 3rd generation Biofuels
• The Energy Union does not set targets for Biofuels in the transport energy mix after 2020
(demand side targets)
• Instead, through the SET plan, we are working on market push targets – in terms of capacity
for production and competitive pricing.
• Member States may set national targets and plans on Biofuels, in order to achieve the EU
target of 27% renewable energy and 40% CO2 reduction. Commission monitors this.
Key points from Industry
• Key issue for deployment and commercialisation of biofuels is creating market confidence.
• Currently, at EU level mixed signals are given, resulting in loss of investments in
development of 2nd and 3rd generation biofuels. In for example the US there is a much
clearer policy direction.
• A clear target for biofuels in the transport energy mix is requested after 2020. 4% is
considered realistic by the Industry with significant reduction in CO2, jobs creation and
investments.
Questions:
• If a 4% Biofuel target for the transport energy mix is realistic, leading to a (rough estimation)
of 2 % of CO2 reduction, how important are Biofuels to reach our 2050 decarbonisation
objectives?
• The Commission is working on an action plan for 2nd and 3rd generation biofuels and other
sustainable fuels: Developing market push targets. Will this action plan not give the needed
market confidence?
• Member States may set national plans and targets for Biofuels, which are monitored by the
Commission. Do these national plans and targets not give enough market confidence?
Line to take:
• Demand side targets will not be set at EU level (in any case it is not our competence).
• We are creating market confidence by setting market push signals (SET plan).
• We are providing market confidence by Public Investments in development of 2nd and 3rd
generation Biofuels through H2020, NER 300 (funding from ETS emission rights) etc.