Early day motion tabled by primary sponsor David Howarth (Liberal Democrat), on Tuesday, 19 December 2006, in the House of Commons. It is signed by 42 members in total.

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BIOENERGY

That this House recognises the important role bioenergy can play in tackling the overriding 21st century challenge of climate change while encouraging energy security and increasing opportunities for farmers and rural communities; notes the central part played by bioenergy in the Tyndall Centre's Living with a Carbon Budget report, which describes the possible route to a low carbon economy; regrets that bioenergy represents less than 1.4 per cent. of the total UK energy supply; is nevertheless alarmed by the environmental threat posed by the production for bioenergy of palm oil, sugar cane and soya in South East Asia and South America the expansion of which is leading to a destruction of tropical forests and other highly prized ecosystems, such as the Cerrado in Brazil; urges the Government to introduce as a matter of urgency a carbon and sustainability assurance scheme that reflects the impact of bioenergy throughout its life-cycle; further urges the European Union to follow suit in developing Europe-wide assurance schemes; and calls on the Government to encourage a sustainable bioenergy sector through the introduction of a carbon balance requirement in the initial phase of the Renewable Transport Fuels Obligation.

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Secondary information

Type

Early day motion

Reference

550 

Session

2006-07

Other sponsors

Chris Huhne

Tim Farron

Norman Baker

Roger Williams

Martin Horwood

Subjects

Biofuels Sustainable development

Link

View this Early day motion on www.parliament.uk