Most political parties now 'talk the talk' on climate change but when it comes down to it do they 'walk the walk'? Click on the different issues below to find out how MEPs voted in these important climate and energy votes. Once you have chosen the issue, you can choose to see how a whole political group voted or how MEPs from the same group in your country voted.

Make your selection
Country Group * Vote **
EU-wide | Conservative | 0

EU-wide | Conservative | 0

 

 
Description

Biofuels and climate change

No to damaging biofuels

The problems with many so-called biofuels have been known and acknowledged for some time now. Not only does the energy-intensive production process lead to little actual greenhouse gas savings in many cases, the cultivation of crops for fuel has driven deforestation and created pressure on food prices, creating food security problems. In March 2007, EU leaders committed to a 10% biofuels target despite the opposition of Greens and others. To limit the potential damage of such a target, the Greens have sought to introduce strict criteria on what biofuels are permitted. In a report on EU renewable energy policy, adopted by the European Parliament in 2007, the Greens proposed an amendment calling for a well-to-wheel climate, environmental, social and food security impact assessment before setting and implementing a possible 10% compulsory target for biofuels. The amendment was defeated by a large majority.

See the list of how all MEPs voted on Amendment 6,1 to the Thomsen report (25th September 2007)

 
Key

Outcome explanation **

no vote
Supported making the EU's biofuels target subject to a rigorous impact assessment as to the potential damaging consequences
 
no vote
Some MEPs supported making the EU's biofuels target subject to a rigorous impact assessment as to the potential damaging consequences, others did not
 
no vote
No opinion whether the EU's biofuels target should be subject to a rigorous impact assessment as to the potential damaging consequences
 
no vote
Some MEPs did not believe the EU's energy efficiency target should be made binding as to the potential damaging consequences, others had no opinion
 
no vote
Did not believe the EU's making the EU's biofuels target should be subject to any impact assessment as to the potential damaging consequences
 
no vote
Not present / Did not vote / No MEPs match selection
 

Group name *

Conservative EPP-ED
Socialist PES
Liberals ALDE
Greens EFA
Communist GUE/NGL
UEN-right UEN
Eurosceptic Ind-Dem
Non-alligned NI