POLICY SUMMARY

To read the full details of the Greens NSW Biofuels Policly click the orange download button on the right.

The development of biofuels is an important component for interim and long term alternative fuels.  Establishment of biofuel processes should be subject to stringent analysis and environmental assessments prior to production. 

Using agricultural food products to produce biofuels should be avoided in all circumstances.  Biofuel production has the potential to substantially aggravate existing pressures on ecosystems, biodiversity, soil health, global warming, agricultural crop species diversity and water supplies, whether produced in Australia or imported.

The Greens NSW support:

  • Restricting the sources of biofuels to genuine waste.
  • Banning the importation or domestic production of biofuel sources such as palm oil that compromise recovery of endangered species, biodiversity and sustainable land use management.
  • Ensuring that crops grown for biofuel production are based on ecologically sustainable practices such as zero land and soil degradation, optimal conservation of water and protection of the river systems 
  • A moratorium on the cultivation of GEOs for any part of the biofuel production process.
  • Prioritisation of research and development into second and third generation biofuels including algae to biodiesel and cellulosic fuels over the extension of the ethanol excise rebate.
  • Amending environment and planning laws to provide targeted environmental assessment of biofuel production including soil impacts, invasive species impact and water use impacts. 
  • Cancellation of the ethanol excise rebate and a diversion of this government expenditure into development of non-fossil fuel based transport and  second generation biofuels production.