ABSTRACT

Introduction The current status of biodiesel production in the European Union (EU) as described in this chapter represents political measures with the fundamental objective of achieving full utilization of renewable energy sources in a stepwise manner (see Table 1). With these policies, the EU is pursuing a strategy directed toward utilizing renewable energy for the following reasons: (i) combating climate change; (ii) reducing local environmental loads; (iii) creating jobs and income in an EU increasing to 25 member countries; and (iv) contributing toward a secure supply of energy.