The Renewable Energy Directive sets the target of 20% renewable energy in all EU energy consumption by 2020 and 10% for the transport sector. The Fuel Quality Directive also sets a mandatory target of reducing greenhouse-gas emissions by 6%, given the high fuel use in road transport and mobile machinery. The Parliament stated clearly in 2008 that indirect land-use change must be considered when calculating emission savings as higher emissions from land-use factors can negate the greenhouse gas savings from biofuels relative to fossil fuels.
EU biofuels policy should prevent unintended extra pollution and distortions in global crop prices that fuel poverty, while at the same time protecting existing investments. The S&D Group aims to improve the market for innovative and less polluting biofuels which do not compete with food