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Biofuels reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 84 percent
With over 3.5 million tonnes of biofuels in the quota year 2018, the industry used six percent more biofuels in Germany than in the year before. The use of biofuels avoided 9.5 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent. The average total reduction in greenhouse gas emissions thus amounts to 83.8 percent. The Federal Office of Agriculture and Food (BLE) presents its annual evaluation and experience report.
In 2018, 3.538 million tonnes of biofuels with an energy content of 120 petajoules were placed on the German market. As in previous years, biodiesel (FAME) accounted for the largest share, of 72 percent, mainly produced from waste and residual materials. Bioethanol accounted for just under 26 percent of all biofuels, mainly produced from corn and grain.
A new reference value to calculate emission savings
In the year under review, the reference value for determining emission savings was modified. Until the quota year 2017, there was a uniform comparative value for fossil fuel and for all further calculations. As of quota year 2018, the legislation provides for individual comparative values for petrol and diesel fuels in addition to a new base value for calculating the quota level. The biofuel quota body uses these individual comparative values to calculate compliance with the respective greenhouse gas reduction quotas.
Consequently, to determine emissions saved, the BLE uses the individual values for each fossil fuel type in the 2018 report, which causes a break in the emission savings timeline (chapter 6.4 of the report).
Source: BLE
New reference value has no effect on emissions generated
While the fossil comparison value for calculating the savings has changed, the level of emissions caused by biofuels remains unaffected. As in the previous year, it amounts to around 1.8 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent
Biofuel emission savings remain constant
For 30 petajoules of liquid biofuels, remuneration under the EEG was applied for. Around 85 percent of these biofuels were thick liquor from the pulp industry while eleven percent were vegetable oils. As in the previous year, the total reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from all biofuels amounts to around 93 percent compared with fossil fuels. Their use avoided around 2.6 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent.
