MEP’s report takes lifecycle low-carbon fuels plan forward

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The environment committee rapporteur Dorette Corbey published her report on the Commission’s proposed fuel quality directive, which aims to cut lifecycle carbon emissions by 10% by 2020. The Corbey report includes a series of detailed recommendations on how to assess and charge for lower-carbon fuels, and proposes tightening several fuel specifications.

T&E welcomed the report, but said it appeared to open the door for a separate target for companies that work with heavy crude oil, which undermines the principle of giving an incentive to fuels with the lightest carbon footprint.

A draft position prepared by the German presidency said the 27 states support the idea of reducing emissions from the full fuel producing process, but are worried about several practical elements. These include calculation methods, uncertainties about the role of biofuels, and a possible impact on the Emissions Trading Scheme.

The environment committee will discuss the Corbey report in November, and the current Portuguese presidency says it hopes to reach agreement on legislation by December.

This news story is taken from the July 2007 edition of T&E Bulletin.