The European Commission has decided to recognise a certification scheme which will see biofuels produced from palm oil labelled as sustainable. The decision, made last Friday, comes despite recent studies by the Commission itself that have proved that the carbon footprint of palm oil biofuels is worse than that of conventional diesel. The approval of the scheme, proposed by the controversial multi-stakeholder initiative of palm oil producers, distributors and some NGOs – The Round Table for Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), means that palm oil suppliers will not be required to provide further evidence of compliance with EU sustainability criteria, and can qualify for subsidies. Greenpeace Forest Campaigner Sini Harkki has objected to the decision stating that “The Commission’s decision is disgraceful and smacks of hypocrisy. One day palm oil biodiesel is dirtier than normal diesel and the next day, after a little poking by the industry, the Commission swallows its own words”. Studies commissioned by the EU, including an impact assessment published in October, found that biofuel production can lead to a net increase in carbon dioxide emissions when indirect land use changes (ILUC) are considered. ILUC occur if forests are cleared or peatland is dried to meet the growing demand for biofuels, leading to the release of greenhouse gases. Palm oil biodiesel has the highest ILUC emissions of common biofuels. “Palm oil is driving deforestation, wildlife loss, community conflicts, and accelerating climate change. Instead of greenwashing palm oil, the EU should outright ban its use as a biofuel”, said Robbie Blake, biofuels campaigner for Friends of the Earth Europe (FoEE). Greenpeace and FoEE have called on the Commission to suspend the authorisation of the scheme until ILUC emissions are truly accounted for by law. Last month, the Commission proposed a reporting obligation on greenhouse gas emissions from ILUC. However, these factors carry no legal weight when determining whether biofuels meet EU green transport targets.