Europeans have found that biodiesel made from soybean oil is
twice as polluting as fossil-fuel diesel.
That has prompted the European Commission to cut its mandate
for crop-based biofuel from 10 to five per cent by 2020.
The change requires approvals from member states before it
can take effect.
The investigators found that biofuels made from cereals and
sugar have much lower carbon emissions than those made from vegetable oils.
The European Commission is promoting biodiesel by setting
minimum volumes that must be blended into automotive diesel fuels.
Canada has also set minimums for biodiesel and ethanol.