More biofuel is part of the green shift both in Norway and in our neighboring countries. This spring, a new, greener standard petrol was introduced in Norway: E10. It is the industry itself that is behind the introduction. The aim is to reduce the amount of fossil fuel in traffic by increasing the amount of biofuel. But Professor Vigdis Vandvik at the University of Bergen calls it a “risky sport” to increase the use of biofuel in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Norway. – It takes a lot for it to have a big positive effect on the climate, and there is a very big risk that it has a negative effect. Critical to increased use news was able to report this week that the introduction of E10 petrol, which contains more biofuel, does not lead to less greenhouse gas emissions from road traffic in Norway. In order to reduce the share of fossil fuel, it is the turnover requirement that must be changed. Today, the state requires that 17 percent of all fuel sold at petrol stations must be biofuel. This is proposed to be increased to 19 percent. The proposal from the Ministry of Climate and the Environment is under consultation. Facts about E10 E10 is fuel with up to 10 percent bioethanol (biofuel) All cars from 2011 or later can run on E10. E10 should not be used on outboards and cars older than 2001, including vintage cars. Car owners who are unsure whether their car can handle E10 should check with their dealer. E10 is more climate-friendly than traditional fossil fuel. Emissions from biofuel are not considered fossil fuel and do not contribute to climate emissions. (Source NAF) But an increase in the use of biofuel is not the way to go, believes Vandvik. – There is clearly a big risk of us moving the climate problems from our accounts to other parts of the world. She emphasizes that biofuel is land-intensive “no matter how you look at it”. – Reducing our land use instead of increasing it is incredibly important if we are to manage to achieve the climate goals. Vigdis Vandvik is a professor at the University of Bergen and head of the CeSAM center for sustainable land use. Photo: Ronald Hole Fossåskaret Ministry: – Quick cuts Vandvik points to electrification as a better alternative for road traffic. – We already have much better technology available. Going via bioethanol and those fuels and slightly changing how we use them is not particularly effective. – The researcher raises some highly relevant issues that we in the government are very aware of, says State Secretary Ragnhild Sjoner Syrstad (Ap) in the Ministry of Climate and Environment. Syrstad emphasizes the importance of not overusing biofuel as a climate solution, and says it comes in addition to the electrification of transport. She still believes that it is an important measure. – It is one of the measures that has the fastest impact on our greenhouse gas emissions. – Why don’t you switch directly to electric? – Eventually, there will probably be more and more electric transport and the need for biofuel less. We believe that we can achieve rapid cuts with biofuel now, and in the longer term more and more electric means of transportation. – One of the measures that has the fastest impact on our greenhouse gas emissions. says State Secretary Ragnhild Sjoner Syrstad (Ap) in the Ministry of Climate and Environment. Photo: Trond A. Isaksen SV: – Little reason to be so uneasy SV got through a proposal in the revised national budget on increased use of biofuel. Fiscal policy spokesperson in SV, Kari Elisabeth Kaski, calls biofuel a “necessary interim solution”. She nevertheless describes the debate about the sustainability of the use of biofuel as too important, while at the same time pointing out that the requirements for biofuel are becoming stricter. – I think there is little reason to be so worried because of the sustainability requirements that are placed on biofuels in both Norway and the EU. It is not the case that the majority of the biofuel that is on the market now comes from areas where we should rather be producing food, fortunately. Fiscal policy spokesperson in SV, Kari Elisabeth Kaski, believes there is little reason to be uneasy when it comes to biofuels. Photo: Kai Rune Kvitstein Want more sustainable biofuel Over the years, people have gone from using conventional biofuel to switching to advanced biofuel. Advanced biofuel is mainly produced from waste and residues and in Norway includes both A and B raw materials. In the EU, only Part A raw material is defined as advanced. Today, more than 80 percent of the biofuel in road traffic comes from B raw materials. The government wants to change this. The proposal the ministry has in consultation involves a requirement for more advanced biofuel from A-raw material. – We have gradually turned biofuel use in a more sustainable direction. From very land-intensive use at the start to a greater emphasis on biofuel that is made from waste and residues, says Syrstad. Vandvik is positive that there is more focus on A raw material. So is Kaski, although she thinks it has taken too long. – Things are going much too slowly here, and we have to do a lot more. Both with the use of biofuel, but also other means of action.
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Critical research into biofuels as a climate measure – news Vestland
