EU Proposes stricter fuel standards to combat climate change and reduce air pollution

On 31st January the European Commission proposed new standards for transport fuels that will reduce their contribution to climate change and air pollution, including through greater use of biofuels. A key measure foreseen is that, to encourage the development of lower-carbon fuels and biofuels, suppliers will have to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions caused by the production, transport and use of their fuels by 10% between 2011 and 2020. This will cut emissions by 500 million tonnes of carbon dioxide by 2020 - equivalent to the total combined emissions of Spain and Sweden today.