The biofuel sector in Europe: An involved player for sustainable development? 24 maart, Brussel

WAT?
The European Union has drawn up a climate package in order to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions. This package also concerns the transport sector, which accounts for 28% of CO2 emissions in Europe: the Union is committed to achieving a 10% share of renewable energies in each national transport sector by 2020. First-generation biofuels represent an effective ways of meeting this objective.
2nd and 3rd generation biofuels will be even more advantageous. However, biofuels are a controversial topic and the public is asking itself: can they really open the way to clean transport? Aren’t we running the risk of seeing agriculture
produce more fuel than food? How do biofuels affect biodiversity, water, soil and forests? Shortly said: are biofuels sustainable? The biofuel industry is reviled, but some of industry players deserve to be better
known. They actually claim firmly commitment in achieving sustainable development by achieving a multi-sector approach, encompassing the agriculture, energy, food and chemical sectors, that is likely to reduce the environmental footprint of biodiesel
production much more than a single-sector approach. We would like to hear about these practices in an open and contradictory debate, to identify the strengths and
drawbacks of biofuels. We will study the social and environmental impacts of energy crops, and the discussion may lead to suggestions on how to complete the European legislative framework on biofuels. Following the climate and energy package adoption and at
the dawn of the renewal of the European transport strategy as well as the common agricultural policy, what European strategy for sustainable biofuels? Participants in the debate will include experts, European industry representatives, and
officials from various NGOs and international organisations, who will be invited to discuss the subject of biofuels with the Community institutions.

WANNEER? Woensdag 24 maart 8.30 u - 13.45u

WAAR? Félicien Cattier zaal, University Foundation, Egmontstraat 11, Brussel

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