The UK has suggested counting biofuel towards its renewable transport fuel goals.

Doing so would enable the biomatter towards both its cleaner emissions target and its secondary goal of having transport operate on at least ten per cent renewable fuel by 2020. It would also save the country billions of euros, Reuters reports.

A major issue with promoting this source, however, seems to be its impact on food. Transport would use first generation fuels, which involve the likes of wheat and sugar. This would conflict with food production, either reducing it or triggering mass expansion to meet new demand, consequently damaging the environment as new farms and facilities are established.

The European Commission considered cutting first generation biofuels goals to just five per cent, but this was met with a negative response by companies who had already started working towards the ten per cent goal.

An alternative, easier proposal of six per cent was put forward by the European Parliament, which did not pass, while the current EU presidency holder, Lithuania, has proposed a seven per cent cap. This latest suggestion is due to face members on Thursday.