Biofuels and the new decade

 

 

Conventional biofuels, produced from agricultural materials that can be used for human and animal consumption, do not appear to be sufficient to face the new challenges in terms of energy and climate. Therefore, it is important to promote the development of other solutions, such as the production of advanced biofuels produced from alternative raw materials and, in general, using more advanced conversion processes and technologies, which lead to a greater level of greenhouse gas reduction greenhouse effect and do not compete with food crops for the occupation of agricultural land.

 

From this perspective, the new directive on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources for the period 2021-2030, Directive (EU) 2018/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2018, continues a policy of promoting the transition to advanced biofuels and mitigating impacts associated with land use change:

• It continues to limit, for the purposes of meeting targets, the contribution of biofuels produced from raw materials that can be used for human or animal food, in particular those produced from crops that have associated a high risk of indirect alteration land use;

 

• Defines mandatory minimum targets for the contribution of advanced liquid and gaseous biofuels, produced from alternative raw materials listed in part A of its Annex IX, to final energy consumption in the transport sector: 0.2% in 2022; 1% in 2025; and 3.5% by 2030.

 

Portugal is committed to achieving a carbon-neutral economy by 2050, knowing that to achieve this goal, the greatest effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and the energy transition must be made during the next decade. The National Energy and Climate Plan 2030 (PNEC 2030) defines the energy policy for this new decade, establishing targets in terms of energy and climate for 2030, including a target of incorporating 47% of energy from renewable sources in the final energy consumption.

 

 

A strong commitment to electric mobility and the promotion of advanced biofuels and other alternative fuels is part of the national energy strategy for 2030, and this strategic document includes several action measures aimed at promoting it.