Decarbonizing the EU transport sector comes with huge challenges — European biodiesel producers have a key role to play

With the European Green Deal in the spotlight, the electrification of road transport is taking center stage, promising a mobility makeover in the long run. While this is important, there’s  an urgent need to make use of all existing solutions to tackle the footprint of the existing vehicle fleet.  

The European sustainable biodiesel industry is an essential ally in helping the EU meet these green goals.

In July, policymakers will kick-off a revision process of key European legislation underpinning the decarbonization of the transport sector to meet the EU’s overall goal of reducing emissions by 55 percent by 2030. The European sustainable biodiesel industry is an essential ally in helping the EU meet these green goals.  

Where we are today

Biodiesel is a renewable fuel produced from vegetable oils such as rapeseed, sunflower, soybean or palm, and also from wastes and residues from cooking oil or animal fats. It can be blended with fossil diesel, or replaced fully, without a need to change existing infrastructure as a way of reducing greenhouse gas emissions from transport. The main types of biodiesel are fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) and hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO). The EU is the world leader in the production and use of biodiesel for transport. It is the most widely-used biofuel in Europe today, with more than 14 million tons consumed every year. European-produced biodiesel helps reduce the need for imports of fossil diesel, contributes significantly to the development of the circular and the bioeconomy, lowers the need for animal feed imports and strengthens the rural economy. The European biodiesel industry represents 25,000 jobs directly linked to biodiesel production in Europe, which are part of the 220,000 total jobs of the EU biofuels sector.   Read the full article in Politico