The current status of biofuels in the European Union, their environmental impacts and future prospects

This report expresses concern that the Commission's proposal fails to address the true level of greenhouse gas savings achieved by biofuels. The introduction states:

"There are now many credible studies of the full impact of biofuel production including the impacts of indirect land use change (ILUC, which occurs when existing plantations are used for biomass cultivation). Although the estimates of greenhouse gas emissions from ILUC range widely, they are generally significant and should be included in the assessment of which particular biofuels can be counted by EU member states towards the mandatory targets set out in the RED. Leaving out this significant source of greenhouse gas emissions from assessment undermines confidence that the RED will deliver real and major savings in greenhouse gas emissions from transport."