East of England-produced biofuels ‘can achieve emission reductions’

The Renewable Energy Association (REA) has advised the government not to make a rushed decision about biofuels and has asserted that when produced sustainably - such as they are in the east of England - the fuels can produce large reductions in carbon emissions.

Clare Wenner, head of transport biofuels at the REA, stated that the ten per cent binding biofuels target set out in the European Union’s (EU) renewable energy directives can be met in a sustainable way at home in the UK, according to inthenews.co.uk.

"UK-produced biofuels are already achieving major reductions in carbon emissions, and doing it sustainably. For example, bioethanol produced in East Anglia saves over 70 per cent carbon compared to petrol," she asserted.

In related biofuel news, France - which is set to inherit the EU presidency - stated that the union may need to extend its deadline for biofuels targets beyond the year 2020 and set more strict environmental and social criteria with regard to their production, Reuters reported.