EU to Limit Production of Food-based Biofuels

EU energy ministers agreed last week to a seven percent cap on crop-based biofuels for use in transport, an increase from the five percent originally recommended by the European Commission.

The cap is also part of a broader effort by the 28-nation bloc to source at least 10 percent of its transport fuel from renewables by 2020. The agreement also includes a 0.5 percent national target for advanced biofuels, which come from non-food sources such as agricultural residues and algae that are generally viewed as being less harmful.