Slash not burn

Biofuels are being promoted as a way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from transport.

But biofuels increase emissions and destroy forests.

Now the Government wants to quadruple their use.

> Take action

Fuelling deforestation

Forest is cleared - from South-East Asia to Latin America - to make way for biofuel crops like oil palm and soy.

This means millions of tons of greenhouse gas emissions are released and indigenous people get kicked off their land.

Now the Government plans to quadruple current biofuel use. This cannot be done without causing massive environmental damage.

An increase in biofuel use has the potential to:

• Destroy forests and valuable habitats
• Increase greenhouse gases
• Threaten people's livelihoods and food supply

Planet-friendly alternatives

Biofuels are a false solution to climate change. But real solutions already exist which are less risky and more efficient.

These solutions include:

• Green cars
• Better public transport
• Incentives that get people cycling and walking

The UK Government should be pushing these real solutions and slashing the use of climate-wrecking biofuels.

What next?

The UK's Renewable Energy National Action Plan is due to be submitted to the EU in June 2010.

We must make sure this does not pursue funding and incentives for biofuels.

Act now to stop the Government being bio-fools.

Take Action

Please ask your MP to sign EDM 828 calling for a hold on biofuels.

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It's a three step process:

1. Find your local MP
2. Choose a contact method
3. Send a letter by email, fax or print out to post*

Step 1 of 3: Find your local MP   

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I am writing to express my concern over the direction of the UK's current policy on biofuels and to urge you to sign EDM 828. The Government's own Gallagher review into the effects of biofuels has shown that they have the potential to increase greenhouse gas emissions rather than reduce them. At the same time the expansion of biofuel crops contributes to deforestation and hunger. The Renewable Fuels Agency has revealed that only 4% of imported biofuels used in the UK are sustainable. I feel greatly concerned that the government is further increasing the amount of biofuel in our petrol and diesel. Currently car fuel is blended with 2.5% biofuels. This is planned to rise to 10% by 2020. EU legislation that is supposed to ensure sustainability of biofuels has been shown to be ineffective and has encouraged the conversion of natural forests to palm oil plantations. EDM 828 calls on the Government not to incentivise further increases in the use of biofuels through targets or subsidies in the National Action Plan. Instead it urges the Government to develop legislation, taxation policy and other measures that limit energy demand in the transport sector. Please sign EDM 828 - the National Action Plan must be submitted to the EU by this June and therefore the next six months are a unique window of opportunity to influence how the UK chooses to tackle climate change.

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