21
May
2026
Watch
Need for an adaptation of the EU legal framework on sustainable biofuels (debate)
A Uachtaráin, the recent volatility in global fossil fuel markets has again demonstrated how exposed Europe is to global price shocks completely beyond our control, and why ending our dependence on fossil fuels is so important. Sustainable biofuels can play an important role in that transition, but as someone who has been closely involved in the sustainability debate over many years, I think we also need to be careful about the signals we send to investors. More than 20 years ago, the EU introduced ambitious targets for renewable fuels. Significant investment followed, but the ILUC debate gathered pace soon afterwards, driven by concerns about the impact of our policies on land use, food security and biodiversity around the globe. We then had to significantly roll back on our ambition, particularly through the ILUC Directive, and RED II. We must learn from that experience. Advanced sustainable biofuels can play a role alongside electrification, but let's make sure the signals we send to investors are credible and consistent for the long term.