Biofuels: At What Cost? An In-Depth Report on Subsidies to Biofuels in the European Union
In order to help stimulate an informed debate on the costs and benefits of the European Union's biofuels policies, the Global Subsidies Initiative (GSI), a division of the International Institute for Sustainable Development, launched its report on subsidies to biofuels in the European Union today at the European Parliament in Brussels .
Download the GSI Report: "Biofuels at What Cost? Government Support for Ethanol and Biodiesel in the European Union"
The GSI report, "Biofuels: At What Cost? Government Support for Ethanol and Biodiesel in the European Union", questions the rationale behind the very large sums of money being invested in support of this particular form of energy.
Subsidies and other forms of government support are strongly linked to the amount of biofuels that are produced and consumed in the EU. While current policies have been promoted as a way to decrease CO2 emissions, they are an expensive and ineffective means to achieving that goal. Transfers per tonne of CO2-equivalent removed are estimated to be between 575 and 800 euros for ethanol made from sugar beet, around 215 euros for biodiesel made from used cooking oil, and over 600 euros for biodiesel made from rapeseed. Purchasing CO2-equivalent offsets on the European Climate Exchange would be far cheaper.
The International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) set up the Global Subsidies Initiative in December 2005 to examine the extent to which public subsidies can cause counterintuitive outcomes that undermine sustainable development. The GSI's aim is to look behind the official justifications offered for public subsidies and study the extent to which they make economic, environmental and social sense.
For more information on "Biofuels: at What Cost? Government Support for Ethanol and Biodiesel in the European Union", and the Brussels launch of the report, please contact Javed Ahmad, the GSI's Director of Communications, at jahmad@iisd.org.
About IISD
The International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) is an award-winning independent think tank working to accelerate solutions for a stable climate, sustainable resource management, and fair economies. Our work inspires better decisions and sparks meaningful action to help people and the planet thrive. We shine a light on what can be achieved when governments, businesses, non-profits, and communities come together. IISD’s staff of more than 250 experts come from across the globe and from many disciplines. With offices in Winnipeg, Geneva, Ottawa, and Toronto, our work affects lives in nearly 100 countries.
You might also be interested in
What Does Climate Adaptation Look Like in Action? Here are nine locally led, nature-based ideas
What does Nature-based solutions (NbS) for adaptation look like for the communities involved? From cultivating seaweed seeds to planting hurricane-resistant trees, here are nine locally-driven ideas.
Nations are exiting a secretive system that protects corporations
Bolivia was the first nation to begin leaving a legal system that allows foreign companies to sue governments behind closed doors. Now, other countries are following.
UK must cut ECT legacy to become green superpower
A novel agreement could tackle Energy Charter Treaty claims and boost post-Brexit EU ties, writes IISD's Lukas Schaugg.
IISD's Best of 2024: Articles
As 2024 draws to a close, we revisit our most read IISD articles of the year.