Written answers

Wednesday, 23 April 2008

Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

Alternative Energy Projects

9:00 pm

Photo of Joe CostelloJoe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 120: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on Ireland's commitment to the biofuels directive in view of ethical concerns regarding land use for biofuels, particularly in developing countries; the percentage he estimates Ireland will import from developing countries in order to reach the target on biofuels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14662/08]

Photo of Eamon RyanEamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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I am aware that growing concerns are being expressed on the consequences of increased global demand for biofuels for global food stocks as well as a range of sustainability concerns. The EU Commission's proposed Renewable Energy Directive sets a minimum mandatory target of 10% market penetration of biofuels in transport in all Member States by 2020. It also includes an explicit framework for sustainability criteria in relation to biofuels. These criteria are designed to ensure that biofuels deployed by Member States are produced in a way that ensures they do not contribute towards the degradation of the natural environment, including through the destruction of forests, wetlands or long established grassland. The criteria will also set strict targets for biofuels in terms of the Green House gas emissions they must save before they can be considered eligible as counting towards national targets. My Department is actively engaged in the EU Council Working Group, which is working to agree these criteria.

Currently, the feedstocks used for biofuels production are generally sourced on the open internationally traded commodities market with little or no information attached to these with regard to their origins. It is only by ensuring that Europe sets robust sustainability criteria that Member States will be able to track the source of these fuels, and mitigate the cumulative effect of unsustainable practices on developing countries. I therefore fully support the stated commitment by the Commission to ensuring that rigorous sustainability criteria are put in place and complied with under the new Directive.

I will shortly be launching the public consultation on the proposed Biofuels Obligation as set out in the Programme for Government. In that context EU developments on biofuels policy in light of emerging concerns in relation to sustainability for the environment will be reviewed and publicly debated. The recent introduction by the UK of a Biofuels Obligation will also be closely monitored for lessons to be learned.

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