Biofuel production in selected European countries 2020

In 2020, the production of biofuels in Europe was highest in Germany, at 146.3 petajoules. This was almost 50 petajoules more than France, which produced the second highest volume that year. Germany has around four percent share of global biofuel production. The overall production of biofuels in the EU has increased dramatically since the turn of the century, growing from 29 petajoules to 660 petajoules in 2020.

Transport consumption

Biofuels are fuels derived from biomass, designed as an alternative to fossil fuels. They have numerous uses such as energy generation and heating. However, at present its main use is for transport. The main biofuels are bioethanol and biodiesel. In 2019, biodiesel consumption for transport in the EU amounted to 14.3 million metric tons of oil equivalent. Biodiesel was by far the most consumed biofuel, with a share of approximately 80 percent.

Carbon neutral controversy

Whist it is often suggested that biofuels will help lower greenhouse emissions in comparison to fossil fuels, there is some controversy surrounding the subject. In a 2016 study for the European Commission, it was found that biodiesel produced from palm oil and soybean oil emits more greenhouse gases than diesel oil. This is a result of the crops indirect effects on land use change. This has seen calls for the use of palm oil and soybean oil to be banned for biofuels production.