The role of biofuels in European energy and transport policy

Speaker: Matti Lievonen, CEO of Neste Oil

 Sustainably produced biofuels are currently the most effective means to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the transport sector, including aviation. A clear and stable regulatory framework, based on single market and free trade principles is necessary for investment and innovation in this leading European sector. Lately, the development of biofuels has created heated political discussions notably regarding food versus fuel as well as environmental impacts, particularly the indirect effects of land use.

 

The Commission recently published its proposal for major changes in the EU’s biofuels legislation, with great global impacts on the production and consumption of biofuels. The proposal aims to limit the global land conversion for biofuels’ production and increase the climate benefits of biofuels used in the EU. Renewables and biofuels in particular will thus be high on EU Agenda in the coming weeks and throughout 2013.

 

Neste Oil, the largest producer of advanced biofuel, also carried out pioneering work in developing second-generation biofuels.

This debate will provide us with an opportunity to discuss with them the EU’s future biofuels policies and more particularly how the proposed modifications fit into the challenge of the growing global energy demand.