European Union agrees on renewable transport targets and palm oil ban

In Belgium, negotiators from the European Parliament, Council and Commission agreed early Thursday morning on a new target for renewables in transport – a deal that clearly recognizes the importance of separating bad biofuels like palm oil from good ones like European ethanol.

The agreement sets a target of 14% renewables in transport by 2030. It would freeze the use of high-ILUC risk biofuels such as palm oil at current levels and phase it out by 2030, while capping crop-based biofuels at Member States’ 2020 levels, with a maximum of 7%. The agreement also sets an ambitious and much needed target for advanced biofuels.