Directive on the Promotion of the use of biofuels and other renewable fuels for transport

The Directive on the Promotion of the use of biofuels and other renewable fuels for transport, officially 2003/30/EC and popularly better known as the biofuels directive is a European Union directive for promoting the use of biofuels for EU transport. The directive entered into force in October 2001, and stipulates that national measures must be taken by countries across the EU aiming at replacing 5,75 % of all transport fossil fuels (petrol and diesel) with biofuels by 2010.

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The directive also called for an intermediate target of 2 % by 31 December 2005. The target of 5,75% is to be met by 31 December 2010. The percentages are calculated on the basis of energy content of the fuel and apply to petrol and diesel fuel for transport purposes placed on the markets of member states. Member states are encouraged to take on national "indicative" targets in conformity with the overall target.

Legislation

• COM(2001) 547, Communication of the European Commission of 07/11/2001 on an Action Plan and two Proposals for Directives to foster the use of Alternative Fuels for Transport, starting with the regulatory and fiscal promotion of biofuels ^[1]
• COM(2006) 845, Communication of the European Commission to the Council and the European Parliament: Biofuels Progress Report ^[2], that proposes to raise the biofuel target to 10% by 2020.
• Related legislation:
  • Council Directive 2003/96/EC of 27 October 2003 restructuring the Community framework for the taxation of energy products and electricity ^[3]
  • COM(2007)18: Proposal for a Directive amending Fuel Quality Directive 98/70/EC ^[4] (also called Directive relating to the quality of petrol and diesel fuels ), as amended by Directive 2003/17/EC ^[5]: fuel suppliers should reduce the lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions from transport fuels from 2011 onward, by 1% year.

See also

• Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (UK implementation)
• Energy policy of the European Union

References

1. ^ http://ec.europa.eu/energy/res/legislation/doc/comm2001-547-en.pdf
2. ^ http://ec.europa.eu/energy/energy_policy/doc/07_biofuels_progress_report_en.pdf
3. ^ http://ec.europa.eu/energy/res/legislation/doc/biofuels/taxation_energy_products_and_electricity.pdf
4. ^ http://ec.europa.eu/environment/air/pdf/fuel/ia_sec_2007_55_en.pdf
5. ^ http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2003:076:0010:0019:EN:PDF