IMPLEMENTATION OF SUSTAINABILITY STANDARDS FOR BIOFUELS

Early day motion 1173, tabled 9 December 2010 by Lord Whitehead (Labour). Signed by 31 members.

That this House is concerned that unsustainable biofuels can have serious environmental impacts and may also release more carbon into the atmosphere than they save; notes that the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation gives the same financial reward to all biofuels, regardless of their sustainability; welcomes the provisions in the EU Renewable Energy Directive to ban biofuels production from land of high biodiversity or former high carbon stock, as well as requiring minimum greenhouse gas savings; further notes that the deadline for implementation of these provisions is 5 December 2010; further notes with concern that no decisions have yet been taken on UK implementation and that this deadline will be missed, possibly by several months; is extremely concerned that, until binding standards are implemented, the UK will continue to provide financial support for unsustainable biofuels; and therefore calls on the Government to implement the sustainability standards in the Renewable Energy Directive as soon as possible.

Signatures by party: Labour 13, Liberal Democrat 13, Conservative 2, Alliance 1, Plaid Cymru 1, Social Democratic and Labour Party 1.