WWF digging into EU’s CAP reform to ensure an end to crop-based biofuel incentives

In Belgium, WWF has submitted a Freedom of Information request for a crucial assessment of EU farming policy’s impact on the climate. The assessment, carried out by external consultants, has been delivered to the European Commission and was due to be released in summer 2018. National agriculture ministers are set to discuss the reform of EU agricultural policy (CAP) as well as the EU’s draft long-term climate strategy on May 14. To do so as effectively and ambitiously as possible for the climate and environment, they need a thorough understanding of the effect of current farming practices on greenhouse gas emissions.

WWF want incentives for purpose-grown biofuel or energy crops phased out. Bioenergy from farm wastes has a role to play, and can reduce GHG emissions from residues like manure, but the Commission also proposes devoting large areas of land to energy crops, when letting unused or abandoned land reforest would actually deliver higher net emissions savings, it says.