European Lawmakers Cut BackKey Goal for Crop-Based Biofuels

An influential European Parliament committee cut its target for crop-based biofuels amid fears that they cause more harm than good. The move, which prompted criticism from biofuel producers, came in response to growing concerns that grain-derived fuels drive up food prices and may contribute to climate change more than fossil-based fuels. The Parliament’s industry committee upheld a European Commission goal of converting 10 percent of road vehicle fuel to renewable sources by 2020. But, the committee specified, at least 4 percent must come from renewable electricity, hydrogen, or waste biofuel — capping virgin crop-based biofuels at 6 percent. The panel also adopted an interim goal: 5 percent renewable road fuel by 2015. And it directed that biofuels must cut carbon emissions by 45 percent compared to fossil fuels. The committee also endorsed the EU’s goal of 20 percent renewable energy by 2020.