Brussels Bioethanol Conference Fuels Debate on RED II

Conference2Together with CropEnergies and nova-Institute, Sustainability Consult co-organised the Sustainable First and Second Generation Bioethanol conference in Brussels on 26 September 2017. Featuring a panel of experts from academia, the European Commission and industry, the event sparked a lively discussion about the proposed review of the Renewable Energy Directive (RED II).

Our very own Managing Director, Richard Delahay moderated the conference, which was opened by Joachim Lutz, CropEnergies CEO.

The conference presentations explored how first generation bioethanol can be produced sustainably and contribute to the European Commission’s mandate to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Wolter Elbersen from Wageningen UR, argued that reducing the yield gap in Europe’s crop production could enable farmers to produce both biofuels and feed. The FAO’s Olivier Dubois agreed that first generation fuels should not be rejected, suggesting that “second generation biofuels have a lot to learn from the first generation.”

As part of the conference, the nova-Institute launched a new study assessing the sustainability of bioethanol from different feedstocks. Michael Carus and Lara Dammer from nova-Institute presented highlights from the study, which concludes that “first generation bioethanol is as advantageous as second generation bioethanol for a feasible climate strategy.”

A panel discussion included Bernd Kuepker from the European Commission, Daniela Thrän from DBFZ/UFZ and André Faaij from the University of Groningen. Trade associations and NGOs attended to put forward their point of view.

Photos from the conference can be found here. The speaker presentations are available for download on the conference website.

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