Biodiesel and other "green" fuels that Europeans put in their cars can have unintended consequences for tropical forests and wetlands, European Union reports show -- the first evidence of EU misgivings.
The EU aims for its 500 million citizens to get about a tenth of their road fuels from renewable sources such as biofuels by 2020, but some EU officials want the target reduced in a review in four years time.
Modelling exercises are starting to show unwanted impacts spreading across the planet via commodity markets.
"The simulated effects of EU biofuels policies imply a considerable shock to agricultural commodity markets," warns one draft report produced to advise policymakers.
"Current and future support of biofuels...is likely to accelerate the expansion of land under crops, particularly in Latin America and Asia," warns another, one of 116 documents released to Reuters under freedom of information laws. More are still awaited.
Rate Article: 1 (Worst) to 10 (Best) |
Search the Internet with Rainforest Portal's Search Engine for more information on: 'biofuel environmental damage'
Rainforest Portal users agree to the site disclaimer as a condition for use.