Pressure Grows in the EU to Phase Out Soy Biodiesel

The European Union is facing pressure to eliminate soy biodiesel, with thirty non-governmental organizations urging the European Commission to gradually withdraw support for this type of fuel that contributes to deforestation.

The demanding organizations have sent a letter to the European Commission, urging them to ensure policy coherence and prevent the Renewable Energy Directive from allowing deforestation-driven products into the EU.

While some EU member states, such as France, Denmark, Belgium, and the Netherlands, have already begun phasing out soy and palm oil biodiesel, the European Parliament has called for their immediate elimination.

These biofuels represent only one-third of the biodiesel feedstock volume in the EU but are responsible for two-thirds of biodiesel emissions in the territory. Furthermore, soy biodiesel consumption in the EU has quintupled between 2015 and 2022.

The European Commission still has the opportunity to make a decision before the elections, and organizations hope that it will be based on scientific data and environmental protection rather than succumbing to commercial pressures from soy-producing countries.

While the European Union is expected to move towards an ecological energy transition, it is important to address the challenges and issues associated with biofuels to ensure true sustainability in the energy sector.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Soy Biodiesel and the EU Dispute:

1. What are non-governmental organizations urging the European Commission to do?
Non-governmental organizations are urging the European Commission to gradually eliminate support for soy biodiesel due to its contribution to deforestation.

2. What do scientific researches show about soy biodiesel?
Scientific research has shown that soy biodiesel emits twice as much CO2 as fossil diesel, considering the indirect deforestation caused by soy production.

3. What other products have been identified as drivers of deforestation?
In addition to soy, palm oil has also been identified as a significant driver of deforestation.

4. What is the position of the European Parliament regarding soy and palm oil biodiesel?
The European Parliament has called for the immediate elimination of soy and palm oil biodiesel.

5. What is the proportion of soy biodiesel in the biodiesel feedstock volume in the EU?
Soy biodiesel represents only one-third of the biodiesel feedstock volume in the EU.

6. What are the CO2 emissions attributed to soy biodiesel in the EU?
Soy biodiesel accounts for two-thirds of the CO2 emissions from biodiesel in the EU.

7. What has been the increase in soy biodiesel consumption in the EU between 2015 and 2022?
Soy biodiesel consumption has quintupled in the EU between 2015 and 2022.

8. What do organizations expect from the European Commission’s decision?
Organizations expect the European Commission to base its decision on scientific data and environmental protection rather than succumb to commercial pressures from soy-producing countries.

It is important to address the challenges and issues associated with biofuels to ensure true sustainability in the energy sector.

Tags: European Union, Production, European Commission, palm oil, deforestation, soy, fuel, pressure, soy biodiesel