Sorry, the publication can not be displayed.

specialreport Up to the challenge Giovanni De Santi believes biofuels will play an important role in allowing the EU to meet its renewable energy and climate change targets T he recently approved directive on the ‘promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources’ sets several ambitious targets. These include obtaining a 10 per cent share of renewable energy, specifically in the transport sector, through a combination of domestic production and imports. It also sets sustainability criteria for biofuels and bioliquids, with a threshold of 35 per cent savings of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, excluding land use categories such as primary forest, highly biodiverse grassland, wetlands and peatlands. However, there is little consensus over the sustainability of biofuels, which is the objective of intensive societal and political debate in Europe and worldwide. A particularly controversial topic is how to estimate emissions from indirect land use change (ILUC) – when crops for food are diverted to biofuels or bioenergy. Using more (conventional) biofuels in the EU, even if they are produced from EU crops, will increase the overall world demand for crops. If not managed properly, it could displace arable production onto land used for other purposes, both inside and outside the EU, and could lead to extra GHG emissions. The new renewable energy directive contains provisions on monitoring and limiting the possible ILUC effects, but also gives the commission the task of further exploring the issue, in order to establish the most appropriate mechanism for minimising ILUC. We are therefore faced with a worldwide scientific challenge in order to reach a consensus on this issue. Within this, the sustainability assessment of biofuels should also address other topics such as the positive or negative impacts of biofuel policies on tropical countries, soil quality, water footprint, air quality, food prices, and farmers’ income. Nevertheless, technological innovation in processing is still necessary: second – and third – generation biofuels are believed “Research and development on second generation technologies will significantly enhance the future role of biofuels” to offer more promising sustained GHG advantages, with the potential for large-scale emission reductions and decreasing the pressure on natural resources. However, although the costs of the lignocellulosic feedstock itself are lower than for current first generation feedstocks, the difficulty of converting it into liquid fuels makes the conversion technology more expensive. Research and development on second generation technologies will significantly enhance the future role of biofuels. It is evident that the most relevant policy questions related to the production and use of biofuels need to be tackled with a truly integrated approach. In this context, the European commission’s joint research centre ( JRC) has established a multi-annual thematic programme, which provides an up-to-date scientific analysis on a number of specific issues of particular interest to the ongoing debate. In particular, it addresses questions of sustainability, direct and indirect land use changes, related GHG emissions, impact on soil, water and biodiversity, pressure on tropical forests, compatibility with vehicle and energy efficiency, development of second generation biofuels, and economic effects of an increase in the demand for biofuels. Bioenergy and biofuels will play an important role in addressing the EU’s renewable energy and climate change targets, and the work of the JRC in tackling the thorny issues of GHG reduction in the transport sector, and sustainability of present and future fuels, will provide independent scientific advice to policymakers for future policy analysis. Giovanni De Santi is director of the Joint Research Centre’s institute for energy 22 June 2009 PARLIAMENT MAGAZINE 29 Issue 291 22 June 2009 “For us at EU level, the impact of the crisis on jobs is our number one concern” The heart of Europe Vladimír Špidla on Employment Week, the commission’s social recovery plan and what the EU can do to protect jobs Employment Week John Monks, Annemarie Muntz, Tine Radinja, Lu PARTNERING FOR ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY IN EUROPE The environmental challenges facing the world are too big to be solved in isolation. It will require a serious effort from all of us. Microsoft is working with governments, NGOs, and business partners to address sustainability challenges through Dear Members of the Eu ropean Parliament, and largest animal PCA – is the world’s oldest of Cruelty to Animals – RS Prevention The Royal Society for the welfare charity. s of animals ever since. to save and improve the live 24, we have been working Established in 18 5 days a year. ting welfare com Issue 291 22 June 2009 newsanalysis 7 Parliament news 12 Truly EU The far right, Barroso’s presidency bid, EU whistleblowers Radical reform of the European election system is needed, and Andrew Duff believes pan-European candidate lists could be the solution 24 Poverty matters Member states must catherinestihler Editorial team Managing editor Brian Johnson Martin Banks Martha Moss Francesca Ross Louise Tait International Press Centre Boulevard Charlemagne 1 Box 2 Brussels 1041 Tel +32 (0)2 285 0828 newsdesk@theparliament. www.theparliament.com Editorial board Editor Catherine Stihler MEP E GREEN STREETS The Green Streets two day conference, supported by the Committee of the Regions and EUROCITIES along with media partner Regional Review, will bring together high level speakers, representatives from Europe’s regional authorities and EC project leaders to: Europe’s urban spaces REDUCIN newsanalysis Horse trading for top jobs begins as EPP confirmed as biggest group The final results of the European elections show the EPP group won 264 seats compared with the Socialists’ 161. Final figures show 43.2 per cent of Europe’s citizens turned out to vote, slightly higher than initial est parliament NEWS BNP in talks to form far right EU parliament group British National Party leader Nick Griffin has confirmed he is in talks with four other parties about forming a new group in the parliament. One is Jobbik, the far right Hungarian party, which won three seats. Others involved in the newsanalysis Pat Cox: EPP-PES parliament presidency deal likely Former parliament president Pat Cox has played down the chances of his party colleague Graham Watson landing the assembly’s top job. Cox says it is “unlikely” Watson will be elected to the post currently occupied by Hans-Gert Pöttering parliament NEWS Anti-treaty party hits back at ‘disastrous’ EU election result Defeated Declan Ganley, leader of anti-Lisbon treaty party Libertas, has made a robust defence of the party’s performance in the European elections. Speaking to this magazine the multi-millionaire Irishman hit back at cr Western Balkans show the way on lifelong entrepreneurial learning private partnership to take it forward. The Chamber of Economy provides the necessary ‘pull’ factor in Croatia’s partnership arrangements for entrepreneurial learning. Meanwhile, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia is planning a European elections | Electoral reform Truly EU Radical reform of the European election system is needed, and Andrew Duff believes panEuropean candidate lists could be the solution Andrew Duff leads the UK Liberal Democrats in the European parliament T T he recent European election campaign, as e Tuesday 3 November 2009 The Stanhope, Brussels “Thank you, it’s like winning a Grammy.” 2008 I NTERNAL M ARKET AND C ONSUMER P ROTECTION WINNER T OINE M ANDERS MEP “This parliament is probably the best parliament in the world. Each of us on every dossier tries to reach agreement, and produce quali Lisbon agenda | Innovation An agenda worthy of the A broader, more inclusive understanding of innovation is vital if the Lisbon agenda is to successfully tackle future economic and social challenges, argues Ann Mettler eflection on the Lisbon agenda post-2010 is in full swing, and few words are use newsanalysis name research spending is very much tied to the industrial age and the post war era, when innovation took place incrementally and by a few select actors. Today, innovation, particularly in the service sector, is less about long standing research and more about speedy market entry and a COVERSTORY The heart of Europe The commission’s proposals to deal with the economic crisis are part of a social recovery plan that goes to the very heart of the European project, says Vladimír Špidla very year, the Employment Week initiative puts European employment policy in the spotlight. At this Employment Week | Job creation Rethinking the future Change is needed if the European economy is to benefit from the creation of secure and sustainable jobs, writes John Monks “This crisis, with its dramatic and negative effects on workers, should be an opportunity to rethink Europe’s future” The E COVERSTORY Unveiling the secret agent Agency work can play a key role in mobilising the workforce and promoting flexicurity, writes Annemarie Muntz aising employment levels, enhancing workers skills and supporting adaptation to change will be the main themes discussed at this year’s Employment Week Employment Week | Youth Arrested development Investing in youth is essential to ensure a smooth transition from education to the labour market, writes Tine Radinja oung people in Europe today are less likely to enjoy stable and decent employment as a result of the economic crisis. In the EU in Apri COVERSTORY Supply and demand nemployment in Europe is set to rise due to the current economic downturn and the percentage will be dangerously close to double digits in the coming months. The economic and social effects of the crisis are closely linked and must therefore be jointly addressed. Ignori Employment Week | Skills forecast Filling in the blanks O A comprehensive European skills forecast could help improve the competitiveness of companies and the employability of workers, argues Aviana Bulgarelli Leonie Stamatopoulou Aviana Bulgarelli is director of Cedefop, the European Centre for Consultancy for succeeding in Europe for your research projects www.welcomeurope.com the portal to know everything on the Framework programme for research and development (FP7) Calls for proposals on FP7 Training specialised on FP7 Advice for any understanding on the FP7 Daily news of FP7 funds T Employment Week | Poverty Poverty matters Member states must do more to promote minimum income schemes in the name of human dignity, says Claire Champeix ore than 79 million people are facing poverty in the EU today. It is time member states start to concretely implement what they have already comm T Employment Week | Social Europe Avoiding a social tsunami Knut Arne Sanden calls on the new commission and parliament to promote a social Europe “Following the recent European elections, now is the time to strengthen Europe and to restore its social ambitions” market. The new buzzword, flexicurity COVERSTORY Union dues Brian Synnott sets out the role of public service unions in tackling the economic crisis T he European Federation of Public Service Unions (EPSU) held its eighth congress between 8 and 11 June. The congress took place in Brussels and brought together over 600 trade union lea Employment Week Employment week: agenda WEDNESDAY, 24 JUNE 09:30 10:30 OPENING PLENARY GREEN JOBS AND GROWTH: MYTH OR REALITY? Speakers: Marko Curavic, Head of Unit, Entrepreneurship, DG ENTR, European Commission Reiner Hoffman, Deputy Secretary General, ETUC Barbro Carlqvist, Senior Economic Advis specialreport Up to the challenge Giovanni De Santi believes biofuels will play an important role in allowing the EU to meet its renewable energy and climate change targets T he recently approved directive on the ‘promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources’ sets several ambitious targe IF THIS MAKES YOU FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE, IMAGINE HOW IT MAKES HER FEEL specialreport Policy pathways Policymakers face some tough challenges if they are to ensure the long-term growth of a sustainable biofuel industry, writes Tammy Klein T he continual evolution of biofuels as a substitute for conventional fuels proves that there are no easy solutions to complex pol EUROPE MEETS AT THE RENAISSANCE With 10 years of experience, the Renaissance Brussels Hotel knows about Europe. Over the years we have hosted delegations from countries all over the Union, and like Europe, the Renaissance is constantly evolving. Our meeting rooms and our restaurant have recently bee insideeu Football focus Michel Platini is looking forward to working with a new team of football friendly MEPs as the new season prepares for kick off T he European parliament is refreshing its team for a new season. Just as Europe’s football clubs have used the summer break to bring in new talen EU Sports platform Platform for success Martin Banks reports on a new platform to help sports connect with the EU T he words “sport” and “EU” do not, on the face of it, appear mutually compatible. As it is not a direct competence of the EU, the world of sport is rarely on the agenda for Brussels insideeu Champions league t might not necessarily be as exciting as a discussion about who your team is going to buy over the summer or their prospects for next season. But the “six-plus-five” rule is of huge significance and transcends the importance of any single club. The plan, championed by Fif Football belongs to everyone, everywhere UEFA is building thousands of mini-pitches across Europe, creating new public spaces for young people to play. With UEFA, football means solidarity. We redistribute the revenues from our competitions to all levels of the sport, amateur and professional.