Publication
21 Nov 2024
Fuelling nature: how e-fuels can mitigate biodiversity risk in EU aviation and maritime policy
Our report finds that using biofuels to decarbonise EU shipping and aviation puts biodiversity at serious risk.
E-fuels are the only solution compatible with both climate and biodiversity targets.
The European Union (EU) is at the forefront of global efforts to address the twin crises of climate change and biodiversity loss. Central to this ambition are the targets outlined in the European Green Deal and stipulated in EU Climate Law. However, the EU’s current approach to meeting its aviation and shipping greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction targets jeopardises meeting its biodiversity targets.
This report evaluates key risks to biodiversity associated with the production of alternative fuels for aviation and shipping. It considers both the direct and indirect effects of energy production pathways, and highlights the importance of integrated, cross-sectoral approaches to mitigate these risks effectively. It finds that prioritising the pathways with the highest emissions reduction potential – e-fuels for both aviation and shipping – will minimise biodiversity impacts whilst also bringing the greatest emissions reduction.
The research was conducted by Cerulogy, commissioned by the SASHA Coalition.