European biofuel policies have led to serious environmental issues, including global deforestation. Biofuels are produced by processing biomass – organic materials such as plants, agricultural residues, or waste.
However, due to negative consequences, the European Union has shifted its focus toward more sustainable solutions – waste-based biofuels, such as used cooking oil, animal fats, and residues from palm oil production.
New Strategy, Familiar Problems
The new strategy has once again encountered significant problems. There has been a sharp increase in imports of palm oil production residues – waste liquids generated during the processing of palm fruit.
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According to the latest report by Transport & Environment (T&E), the amount of such residues reported in the EU significantly exceeds what could possibly be produced. This discrepancy raises concerns about possible fraud in the supply chain – specifically, that regular palm oil products are being falsely declared as waste in order to circumvent bans and strict environmental regulations.
If these suspicions are confirmed, it would mean that under the guise of green and sustainable solutions, the palm oil industry is still being supported – an industry well known for its destructive impact on tropical forests and biodiversity. In other words, forests are being cleared to produce biofuels meant to reduce CO₂ emissions, while at the same time destroying the very forests that absorb CO₂.
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