European Union proposals for the use of next-generation biofuels
European objectives in the field of renewable energy not only affect the production of electricity, but also the generation of thermal energy and transport. Even for the latter, in particular, are provided specific binding targets to 2020: 10% of the total fuel consumption in the EU will be covered with clean fuels.
Aside from the fact that at the moment almost all Member States have a long long way to go (especially Italy), a significant problem is the lack of consensus on so-called green fuels, ie biofuels.
In particular, under indictment have long finished the first-generation bio fuels, that is derived from corn, rapeseed, palm oil and sugar, mainly imported from non-EU countries. According to the aid organization Oxfam, the land used to produce biofuels for European cars could feed 127 million people in a year if it had been sown with wheat and corn. Not only the growing European demand for biofuels is spurring the rise of food prices on a global scale and, in many cases, expulsion of the local communities from their lands.
After years of complaints and great controversy now, finally, Europe has taken a step forward in the direction advocated by NGOs from around the planet, according to a European Commission proposal to be adopted in the coming weeks, biofuels 'first generation' , produced from crops 'competing' with respect to food crops, will have to cover by 2020 no more than 5% of the total fuel consumption.
Another 5% will instead be 'reserved' biofuels 'second generation', which are derived from agricultural waste (such as the rest of the plant after harvesting the grains of corn or wheat), which do not 'consume' the ground of food crops and, therefore, are considered much more environmentally friendly.
The ceiling of 5% corresponds to 2020, according to the Commission, the current level of consumption of first generation biofuels. The decision represents a victory for the first non-governmental organization, however, continue to ask for the total elimination of incentives for biofuels of the first generation.
Instead, it appears now isolated the position of producers, who fear that the new position of the Commission may cost the loss of thousands of jobs. In addition to ethical reasons, including reasons of cost push in the opposite direction: in 2008 alone, according to Oxfam, the value of the incentives for the production of biofuels amounted to approximately € 3 billion, while in Italy, in the same year, the cost of loss of revenue to the exchequer due to incentives has exceeded 100 million.
20/10/2012
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Translated via software
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Source:
Italian version of CercaGeometra.it