The European Commission’s agenda for biofuel has undergone massive change following criticism from numerous NGOs for the associated repercussions of higher food prices and a threatened ecosystem.

The European Commission (EC) is planning major alterations to its biofuel goals, following serious concerns of higher food prices and a threatened ecosystem were pointed out by a lobby of non-government organizations, including Oxfam, as per the news published by AHN.

The EU had decided to raise the proportion of biofuels (fuel that comes from plants) from the existing 2% to 10% by 2020 because they come from renewable sources. But 17 NGOs, including Friends of Earth and Oxfam, assembled together and wrote a letter to the EU Energy Commission, calling upon stricter standards for biofuel sources or to roll-back the legislation for higher biofuel use, as per the news published by AHN.

Environmentalists have shown concerns that EU’s numerical target for biofuel manufacturing will allow fuel makers to make biofuels from food crops on the pretext of cutting down CO2. And this process will result in serious negative effects in other ways for the ecosystem, like deforestation, water scarcity and increased food prices.

Industry analysts have also revealed through additional research that biofuel is not a remedy for meeting petroleum shortages. Besides, serious concerns have now emerged about the actual contribution of biofuels in cutting down emissions as it has been said that biofuel too release the similar levels of pollutants as fossil fuels.

However, EU has declared to come up with new guidelines for making sure that its policies and targets for biofuels doesn't bring suffering to poor people or damage the ecological stability of different regions. Many EU environmentalists now agree upon giving up the biofuel goals, instead of causing harm.

A Research Analyst at RNCOS said, “The European Commission is making all efforts to decrease carbon emissions in Europe and the looming threat of global warming has got governments around the world to launch new plans. Thus, the biofuel plans have come up with lots of promises of it being environmentally-friendly. But elaborate research has now shown that biofuel is not as safe as it was considered to be. Therefore, governments should focus upon using other renewable energy sources like solar energy and even biogas as they hardly pollute the environment as against traditional fuels.”

Related Marekt Research Reports:
Global Biofuel Market Analysis
US Biofuel Market Analysis
Asia Pacific Biofuel Market Forecast