The European Union has set
ambitious targets for renewable use to protect
climate change: 20 percent less carbon emissions and
20 percent of energy consumption from renewables by
2020, and even 30 percent less emissions if other
industrialised nations undertake similar efforts.
One way to achieve this goal is to use biofuel as a
gasoline substitute. However, after the decision,
doubts have emerged, regarding
- the environmental
impacts of such targets in Europe, in particular
on biodiversity;
- on the overall climate impact, given the past
neglect of N2O in the balance sheets, and
- the impact of such regulations in Europe on
the global environment, in particular in Brazil
(the “green energy sheiks”) and in South-East
Asia (“deforestation diesel” producers).
The latter points to a larger issue: the
responsibility of Europeans for the global
impacts of their domestic policies.
