The European Commission is being taken to court by a coalition of environmental groups over its refusal to release data on the negative impact of widespread biofuel use in the EU.
European member states are required by law to use renewable sources to meet 10% of their transport needs by 2020, which will be met in large part through the use of biofuels. The 140 documents being withheld by the European Commission allegedly reveal the impact of the indirect land-use change (ILUC) associated with this target.
ILUC refers to the release of greenhouse gas emissions when forests and other natural areas are converted into cropland to replace those croplands lost to biofuel production.
“There must be complete transparency”
Director at the Environmental Transport Association (ETA), an organisation represented in the legal action, said: “There must be complete transparency if biofuels are to be seen as credible.”
“It is the responsibility of the European Commission to accurately assess the true environmental impact of biofuels. Motorists cannot be expected to know the ins and outs of every fuel that is or could be on offer. We need a clear, simple and open method to work out the impact that any action makes on the environment and then tax it to reduce its impact.”
“Information is being withheld”
James Thornton, lawyer and CEO of ClientEarth, says: “The Commission might not be seeking to hide the truth, but the result of its stance is that crucial information is being withheld until it’s no longer relevant. Its own access laws and work to mitigate climate change are being compromised by its inaction. The Commission’s delaying tactics are totally against the spirit of the law.”
The lawsuit is being brought by ClientEarth, Transport & Environment (an umbrella organisation representing the ETA and others), the European Environmental Bureau, and BirdLife International. The group alleges several violations of European laws designed to promote transparency, democracy, and legitimacy in EU policy-making.
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