German Biofuel Industry Opposes EU Directive Revision
German biofuel associations criticize the EU Commission's proposal to amend the Renewable Energy Directive (RED II). They argue the proposal jeopardizes climate targets.
Associations representing Germany's biofuel industry have voiced strong opposition to the European Commission's proposed revisions to the Renewable Energy Directive (RED II). According to these groups, including OVID (the German oilseed processing industry association) and the German Farmers' Association, the proposal risks hindering the achievement of EU climate goals in the transport sector.
The associations contend that the Commission's proposal limits the use of sustainable biofuels derived from arable crops and favors "advanced" biofuels. This, they argue, would lead to an increase in the share of fossil fuels in transport, as advanced biofuels and electric mobility cannot compensate for the reduction by 2030.
The German biofuel industry emphasizes that biofuels from arable crops are currently the most cost-effective alternative to fossil fuels. In 2015, they accounted for approximately 5 percent of energy consumption in Germany's transport sector, reducing CO2 emissions by about 6.7 million tons annually. Furthermore, their co-products, such as protein feed, contribute significantly to domestic feed supply and rural economies.
The organizations are demanding that the RED II directive continue to include a quota for all renewable fuels until 2030. They also propose maintaining the 7% cap on biofuels from arable crops, agreed upon in 2015, until 2030. Germany's existing greenhouse gas reduction obligation for the transport sector should also be integrated into the new directive.