POLICY ON BIOFUELS AND THEIR EFFECTS

Early day motion 1916, tabled 14 June 2011 by Mark Durkan (Social Democratic and Labour Party). Signed by 32 members.

That this House welcomes the recent announcements from the Government regarding biofuels, but continues to have concerns over the negative impacts of current biofuels on people, food prices, wildlife habitats and the climate; notes that recent research found that the net effect of increases in biofuel use would lead to an increase in greenhouse gas emissions, rather than a reduction; further notes that currently proposed sustainability criteria fail to address impacts on rising food prices and social issues, as well as knock-on effects on natural habitats and carbon stocks; urges the Government, as part of the ongoing amendment to the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation, to freeze biofuel use at the current levels of 3.3 per cent. until the sustainability of biofuels can be assured; further urges the Government to develop policy measures that reduce energy demand and support non-biofuel renewable energy sources in transport, including electric cars using electricity from renewable sources; and further urges the Government in the short-term to incentivise only the use of sustainable bioliquids, such as locally-sourced used cooking oil.

Signatures by party: Labour 17, Liberal Democrat 6, Conservative 3, DUP 3, Social Democratic and Labour Party 2, Green 1.