Navigation path
- European Commission
- Energy
- Renewable energy
- Biofuels
Renewable energy
Biofuels and other renewable energy in the transport sector
Energy consumption in the transport sector depends almost exclusively on imported fossil fuels – oil. The sector is forecast to grow more rapidly than any other up to 2020 and beyond. And the sector is crucial to the functioning of the whole economy. The importance, and the vulnerability of the transport sector require that action is taken rapidly to reduce its malign contribution to sustainability and the insecurity of Europe's energy supply.
The Community does this with a wide range of measures, covering emissions reductions, energy efficiency measures, green public procurement rules in transport, and with the promotion of renewable energy sources for the transport sector.
Under the Directive 2003/30/EC of 8 May 2003 on the promotion of the use of biofuels or other renewable fuels for transport, Europe established the goal of reaching a 5.75% share of renewable energy in the transport sector by 2010.
Under the Directive 2009/28/EC of 23 April 2009 on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources this share rises to a minimum 10% in every Member State in 2020. Whether it is electricity or hydrogen from renewable energy sources, or 1st or 2nd generation biofuels, there is an urgent need to ensure we meet this goal. The Directive also aims to ensure that as we expand the use of biofuels in the EU we use only sustainable biofuels, which generate a clear and net GHG saving and have no negative impact on biodiversity and land use.
