“Biofuels Barometer” report offers sober assessment of biofuels prospects in the EU

In the EU, Energies Renouvelables is noting that biofuels consumption has dropped 6.8 percent in the EU road transport sector between 2012 and 2013, with a 4.7% overall “incorporation rate”. The group, which has published its Biofuels Barometer (available here), said that “sustainable biofuels” consumption rates are now exceeding 86 percent and that, despite the overall drop in biofuels consumption, demand for sustainables continues to rise slightly. 19 countries in the EU now have 85 percent or higher usage of sustainables, according to the report. Big drops in consumption of biofuels between 2012 and 2013 have been noted in Germany, Spain, Austria, and Italy — while demand in France, Poland, Sweden and UK has risen. The report notes the continuing lack of resolution in the debate over indirect land use change. The report includes useful definitions and renewables targets for 2020, by country.