Oxfam is critical of the EU’s continued promotion of crop-based biofuels to meet European targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, arguing that this policy exacerbates global food insecurity and price volatility. Despite caps being introduced on the use of crop-based biofuels, the majority of biofuels used in the transport sector still consist of these products. The organization insists that the recent revision of the Renewable Energy Directive missed an opportunity to address the negative impacts of biofuel demand on food security, social issues, and the environment.
The latest rules give EU countries the option to reduce the cap on crop-based biofuels, but few have chosen to do so, likely due to the challenge of meeting legally binding targets and pressure from industry lobbyists. Oxfam highlights research suggesting that biofuels offer little to no climate benefit when considering factors such as production and land-use change. Additionally, the organization argues that political mandates driving biofuel demand contribute to volatility in global food markets, as seen with a spike in vegetable oil prices following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Oxfam urges governments to phase out crop-based biofuels, limit the use of unsustainable advanced and waste biofuels, and focus on reducing energy demand, investing in public transport, and electrifying cars. The organization also calls for stricter sustainability criteria, human rights protection, and reporting. European biofuels production had reached 20 billion liters per year by 2020, with biodiesel comprising three-quarters and bioethanol the remainder. Trade groups representing biofuel manufacturers argue that biofuels are a necessary part of the transition towards carbon-neutral transport and meeting climate commitments.
Xavier Noyon of the European Biodiesel Board defends biodiesel as an affordable and effective renewable energy source for the transport sector. He questions how the EU can meet its renewable energy targets without biofuels, including sustainable crop-based options. Similarly, David Carpintero of ePURE emphasizes that banning crop-based biofuels would harm EU efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from transport. In a 2020 report, the European Commission noted that a significant amount of land is required for biofuel crop production, with over half of this land located outside the EU.
Despite the pushback from biofuel industry representatives, Oxfam continues to advocate for a shift away from crop-based biofuels in favor of more sustainable alternatives. The organization stresses the negative impacts of biofuel demand on food security, price stability, and the environment, arguing that the EU missed an opportunity to address these issues in the latest revision of the Renewable Energy Directive. With governments still in the process of transposing the directive into national law, there remains an opportunity to change course towards more sustainable energy practices and reduce reliance on biofuels with questionable climate benefits.
