European ethanol has increased the greenhouse gas (GHG) savings it delivers over petrol for the fifth year in row.

According to the European renewable ethanol association ePURE, average GHG emissions savings from the production and use of European ethanol compared to fossil fuel were 66.2% in 2016. This compares to 64.1% in 2015 and 59% in 2014. The data was compiled from ePURE members and certified by auditing firm Copartner.

ePURE secretary general Emmanuel Desplechin said the figures confirm ethanol can play a key role in EU climate ambitions. “Instead of pushing to phase out this sustainable European biofuel, the European Commission should be extolling ethanol as a homegrown source of clean-burning transport energy,” he added.

The Commission’s Renewable Energy Directive proposal, which is now being considered by the European Parliament and EU Member States, would phase out crop-based biofuels after 2020.

 

Provided by Renewables Now exclusively for Essentica.