Biofuels – Campaign context Big Ask has been all about a strong Climate Change Bill. Now it’s time to start looking at solutions as well as some of the false solutions The large scale expansion of biofuels is one of these dangerous false solutions. Key opportunity this summer to stop EU biofuel targets

Biofuels - what are they? Any type of fuel made from organic matter. Some are good: Recycled cooking oil, biogas from waste etc. (but only small amounts available) But the majority are bad: Large scale monocultures of crops like oil palm, soya, maize etc. grown in countries of the Global South to fuel cars in the North.

Why are they bad? Bad for the environment Bad for people Bad for the climate

Carbon cycle of biofuels = - CO 2 or +CO 2 (compared to fossil fuel) (compared to petrol) + CO 2 + N 2 O - CO 2

What are the real solutions? Reducing fuel demand through Better planning (local shops etc.) Better public transport Better cycling facilities More fuel efficient cars (opportunity in EU regulation)

Aim of the campaign 1.To stop the EU from including a 10% biofuel target into the Renewable Energy Directive 2.To get strict EU targets for car efficiency

Key players MEPs voting in the Environment and in the Energy Committee in July and in the plenary in September. The UK Government's position is also important in the Council of Ministers

MEPs (Members of the European Parliament) 78 in the UK in total (3-9 per region) We concentrate on 1-3 priority MEPs in each region Less used to be lobbied directly than MPs: more susceptible to pressure EU elections next year: vulnerable Regional & local media is key

Materials for the summer of action Campaign guide Postcards Leaflets Posters Individual MEP profiles

The summer of action Have an initial lobbying meeting with your MEP in June Raise public awareness and get postcards signed throughout the summer Present the completed postcards to them at the end of the summer, and use the handover to get media attention

Which kind of group are you? Link groups: volunteer to coordinate lobbying of the MEP in June, and present postcards in August, and act as point of contact for satellite groups. Satellite groups: volunteer to engage in public campaigning targeted at an MEP, but any direct contact with the MEP comes via the link group.

Timeline MAYJUNEJULYAUGUSTSEPTEMBER regional gatherings < > arrange meetings with target MEPs <------> meet with MEPs < > committees vote (Env & Energy) < > raise awareness, get postcards signed, < > present postcards to MEPs <----> plenary vote in the European Parliament

Practice Session Lobby the public about biofuels