9.7M tons of CO2 equivalent saved in 2019 through biofuels

In Germany, UFOP reports tat the latest Federal Agency for Agriculture and Food (BLE) report demonstrates that sustainably certified biofuels reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 9.7 million tons of CO 2 equivalent in the 2019 reporting year (previous year 9.5 million tons).

Following the submission of the report by the Federal Agency for Agriculture and Food (BLE), the Union for the Promotion of Oil and Protein Plants (UFOP) points to the once again great and fundamental contribution made by biofuels to climate protection in transport. The association expects this contribution to be significantly exceeded for the current reporting year 2020 because the GHG reduction obligation has increased by 2% to 6% compared to 2019. The report exemplarily shows the comprehensive requirements for proof of sustainability in connection with the required transparency of the raw materials and their geographical origin. The report underlines the increasing contribution that biofuels can make to climate protection in transport. In view of climate change, all fulfillment options are required – as is e-mobility,

The UFOP points out that the legally certified total contribution to the GHG reduction is a physically effective contribution. This can be offset against the reduction obligation of the ambitious Climate Protection Act. The basis for this is the GHG quota regulation, which is also exemplary internationally. The UFOP emphatically emphasizes this because the drafts currently being discussed by the Federal Environment Ministry for the further development of the GHG reduction obligation up to 2030 provide for this reduction target to be met by means of multiple credits. This would break this close connection. GHG quota trading is an important instrument. Reduction equivalents that can be offset against climate protection were traded on this market, no fictitious bookings due to multiple offset,

The funding union fears that the BMU’s proposals will undermine the previously effective competitive element of reducing GHG emissions as efficiently as possible in terms of costs and greenhouse gases using the biofuels introduced on the market. This runs counter to the climate protection goal. Therefore, an appropriate gradual increase in GHG quotas is required, which enables fair competition in order to exploit the available sustainable potential.

The current report for 2019 and the BLE reports from previous years can be downloaded here.