Consultation on Biofuels Directive Review

Publication date: 09 June 2006

The European Union biofuels directive (2003/30/EC) was adopted in May 2003. It aims to promote the use in transport of fuels made from biomass, as well as other renewable fuels.

The directive asks the European Commission to make a progress report before the end of 2006. The progress report could be used as the basis for a proposal to amend the directive. The Commission set out the broad lines for this review of the directive in its biomass action plan and biofuels strategy. Now, in preparing the progress report, the Commission’s services would like to know the views of public authorities, businesses, non-governmental organisations and other interested parties on the following questions:

1. Is the objective of promoting biofuels still valid?

2. The directive sets a reference value of 5.75% for the market share of biofuels in 2010. Will this share be achieved with existing policies and measures? If not, why not?

3. Looking towards 2010, does the EU system of targets for biofuels need to be adapted? If so, how?

4. Should a certification system be introduced to avoid using “poor performing” biofuels or give more support to “better performing” ones?

5. Looking towards 2015 and 2020, should further measures be adopted to promote biofuels?

6. A number of more technical issues

The consultation document explains the questions in more detail. The questions cover a wide range of topics. Some are primarily political, others focus on scientific, legal or economic aspects. If you have views on some questions and not others, do not hesitate to send an answer covering only these questions. As part of the review, the Commission’s services may organise consultative meetings on specific topics. No firm decision has been taken.

consultation_biofuels.pdf (188 KB)

Responses should be sent by email to: tren-biofuels-directive-review@cec.eu.int by Monday 10th July 2006. Responses can be in any Community language. Contributions will be published later on, on http://ec.europa.eu/energy/res/legislation/biofuels_consultation_en.htm

For more information:
- Commission's website on New and Renewable Energies

Related News Items:
- Commission urges to implement Biofuels Directive (4 April 2006)
- Commission proposes biomass and biofuels action plan (7 December 2005)

Update (July 2006)
- FIA position to the Commission consultation on the Biofuels Directive

fia_consultation_directive_biofuels_072006.pdf (57 KB)