The Security Implications of Plant Fuels

With energy becoming an increasingly salient issue within the European Union and abroad, the EU Regional Office of the Heinrich Böll Foundation is pleased to introduce a series of ‘Böll Lunch Lectures’ on the theme of European energy security, which will touch upon such issues as the use of plant fuels, the energy perspectives of the Visegrad States and EU-Russian energy relations.

The second event in this series will see us focus on plant fuels, which have been heralded as a ‘clean’ alternative to hydrocarbons in the transport and industry sector. The recent requirement that plant fuels make up 10% of gasoline and diesel fuels for vehicles by 2020 demonstrates the political impetus that presses for a swift introduction of this fuel into the market. Looking beyond the benefits, however, what are the security implications regarding the use of plant fuels? Will it lead to increased competition for land and resources such as rapeseed oil – ultimately driving up prices? How will it affect the development of countries such as Brazil? And what will be the impact on food reserves and future food supplies?

Speakers:
- Willi Schulz-Greve, DG Agriculture and Rural Development, Unit C
- Hannes Lorenzen, Advisor to the European Greens in the Parliament

Chair:
Claude Weinber, Director Heinrich Böll Foundation EU Regional Office, Brussels