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Biofuels
EU opens investigation into biofuel benchmark fixing
Est. 2minThe European Commission said on Monday (7 December) that it had opened a formal antitrust investigation to look into suspicions that three ethanol producers have colluded to manipulate benchmark prices used by the industry.
German government to boost organic farming
Est. 5minGermany is hungry for organic products. But, despite good market conditions, and heavy marketing, organic farmers are not reaping their share of the boom’s benefits, something Agriculture Minister Christian Schmidt intends to change. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Parliament rubber stamps EU biofuels reform amid final controversy
Est. 4minThe European Parliament gave its final approval on Tuesday (28 April) to a law limiting the use of crop-based biofuel in the transport sector.
Lawmakers agree to limit food-based biofuels
Est. 5minMEPs approved a compromise agreement on Tuesday (14 April) on a law limiting the use of harmful biofuels, following extensive negotiations with the Council of Ministers.
EU reaches tentative deal to cap food-based biofuels
Est. 2minEuropean Union lawmakers reached a tentative deal on Wednesday (1 April) to place a 7% limit on how much crop-based biofuel can be used in the transport sector, EU sources said.
MEPs retaliate against EU countries on biofuels draft law
Est. 4minThe European Parliament has resisted pressure from member states to water down the draft law on biofuels after five-hour long negotiations yesterday afternoon (25 March).
EU countries dilute draft law capping food-based biofuels
Est. 4minThe European Parliament is losing the battle on limiting the use of food-based biofuels, after it made major concessions to member states following negotiations with the Council, according to a leaked document seen by EURACTIV.
EU lawmakers back 6% cap on food-based biofuels
Est. 3minThe European Parliament's environment committee on Tuesday (24 February) backed a new limit on traditional biofuels made from food crops that critics say stoke inflation and do more harm than good to the environment.
Cooking oil’s use in aviation set to ‘grow and become bigger’
Est. 5minUsed cooking oil is one of the latest biofuel alternatives used by aviation companies to reduce carbon emissions. But even if it is already used in planes, critics say production will remain insufficient to make a difference on a larger scale.
More biofuels with low environmental impact possible, scientists say
Est. 3minEU countries could increase their production of biofuels with a minimum impact on the environment, Utrecht University scientists concluded in a study published on Tuesday (13 January).
![[Lars_Plougmann_Flickr]](https://www.euractiv.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2014/11/sugar_beet_denmark_church_creditlars_plougmann_flickr.jpeg)
France champions bioethanol industry in Europe
Est. 4minThe French bioethanol industry is leading the campaign to raise the proportion of biofuel in Europe’s transport fuel mix to 15%, while the European Commission continues to hold the sector on a short leash. EURACTIV France reports.
Report: EU underestimates biofuels’ greenhouse gas savings by 50%
Est. 3minThe European Union has underestimated the greenhouse gas emissions savings offered by biofuels by as much as 50%, according to a report published today.
Clear skies for aviation industry, turbulence ahead for EU airlines
Est. 6minThe business outlook for civil aviation is looking bright thanks mainly to rising Asian demand for aircraft. But airlines are expected to have a harder time, with tougher competition in Europe leading to a consolidation of the sector, according to the latest industry forecast.
![The aviation industry wants to reduce its dependence on fossil fuel partly to reduce its impact on the environment. [Photo by Timothy Spence]](https://www.euractiv.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2014/07/aviation_emissions_plane_wings.jpeg)
Aviation group pushes for ‘level-playing field’ on alternative fuels
Est. 6minSPECIAL REPORT / A leading British aviation group Wednesday (16 July) called for immediate action to develop alternative jet fuels while seeking to skirt the controversy that has forced the European Union to reconsider biofuels targets for motor transport.
Biofuels debate continues, despite EU agreement
Est. 4minThe debate over biofuels risks dragging on, despite EU energy ministers reaching an agreement on the controversial crop-based fuels last week.
![Bearded wheat in Thésée, Loir-et-Cher, in France. [Sybarite48/Fotopedia].](https://www.euractiv.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2014/05/wheat_bearded._thesee-la-romaine_loir-et-cher._sybarite48.jpeg)
EU diplomats agree to 7% biofuels cap
Est. 3minEU ambassadors have agreed to a 7% cap on biofuels made from food crops in transport fuel, in a move environmentalists say is a “timid step” in the right direction.
EU scientists’ biofuels warnings were ignored
Est. 5minEXCLUSIVE / The European Commission ignored an internal recommendation from its own scientists for mandatory carbon accounts and crop-specific measurements in a proposal to address the Indirect Land Use Change (ILUC) from biofuels production.
European tar sands imports set for steep rise, US study says
Est. 6minA new study by the US Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) today (23 January) warns that imports of tar sands into Europe are likely to skyrocket if the block does not take measures.
EU governments fail to agree limits on food-based biofuels
Est. 4minEnergy ministers from the 28 EU member states failed on Thursday (12 December) to agree on a compromise deal to limit the use of transport fuels made from food crops, which critics say pushes up food prices and can do more harm than good to the environment.
UK proposes double-counting on biofuels to meet EU green targets
Est. 4minBritain has proposed a way to lower the European Union's 2020 target for renewable energy by counting the contribution from biofuels twice, avoiding the need for billions of euros in investment, a document shows.
Lithuania mounts rescue bid for first generation biofuels
Est. 5minA planned cap on first generation biofuels use for 2020 could be increased by 50%, if surprise Lithuanian proposals seen by EURACTIV are adopted at a meeting of EU diplomats today (29 November).
Report: Illegally produced palm oil is financed by European banks
Est. 3minBiofuels giants Bumitama and Wilmar have knowingly traded illegally-extracted palm oil from plantations that encroach on and threaten orangutan habitats, says a report released today (21 November). European banks are amongst the firms' biggest investors.
Lawmakers vote to block EU biofuels bill
Est. 4minA proposal to limit Europe’s use of food-based fuel crops has been stalled by a vote on the European Parliament’s environment committee yesterday (17 October), and may not now be decided before 2015.
Food price fears push EU lawmakers to put a lid on biofuels growth
Est. 4minThe European Parliament has voted to limit the use of fuels made from food crops because of fears that biofuels can push up grain prices or damage the climate, further undermining the once booming industry.
