Human rights, rare species on EU biofuels agenda

BRUSSELS, June 30 (Reuters) – The European Union is near to agreeing standards for biofuels that put human rights and endangered species high on the agenda, a diplomat chairing the negotiations said.

But the critical issue of how much CO2 they should save is as yet undecided.

Biofuel use is soaring as developed countries try to curb dependence on imported oil and cut emissions of carbon dioxide, but critics say the industry has encouraged deforestation and pushed up food prices by competing for grain.

Guardian