European Biodiesel Board applauds proposal on CO2 standards by German, French governments
The European Biodiesel Board, representing European biodiesel, renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) producers, applauded the German and French governments Oct. 16 for taking the initiative on an agreement that encourages technology openness.
“While there are points in the agreement that would warrant further clarification, the proposal marks a clear step forward in recognizing the contributions of sustainable renewable fuels to the defossilization of EU road transport,” EBB stated.
“The [policy-proposal] text explicitly recognizes that a complete phase-out of the internal-combustion engine would neglect the broad and increasing use of renewable fuels in the EU energy mix, and on this basis supports a 90 percent tailpipe emission-reduction target,” the association said.
“Regretfully, no alternative or additional pathways to achieve the target through the use of renewable fuel credits, as designed in the Salini report, are part of the deal,” EBB stated. “Such a credit system would represent a direct incentive to further deployment of these fuels.”
EBB pointed out that, importantly, the policy-proposal text introduces a new category of zero-emission vehicles, exclusively powered by eligible renewable and low-carbon fuels.
The organization said this offers a promising alternative to reach the ambitious CO2 emission-reduction goals in road transport.
“The proposal marks a clear step forward, but there is room for clarification,” said EBB Secretary General Xavier Noyon. “Particularly, eligibility of fuels should be based on the criteria in the Renewable Energy Directive. Leaving out any RED-compliant feedstocks would hamper solutions that are already contributing to decarbonization.”
As representatives of European biofuel producers, EBB said it welcomes the proposal that “eligible fuels should be ‘Made in the EU’ and [the association] stands ready to work with the co-legislators on making this a reality.”
