The transport sector, which accounts for approximately 15% of global greenhouse gas emissions, is undergoing a rapid decarbonization transition through the expansion of electric vehicles. However, in sectors where electrification remains difficult in the short term—such as heavy-duty trucks and diesel vehicles—biofuels continue to serve as an important alternative. Many countries have adopted blending mandates requiring a certain percentage of biodiesel use; in Korea, a minimum blending rate of 4% is currently mandated, with plans to increase it to up to 8% by 2030. In the shipping and aviation sectors, the use of bio-marine and bio-aviation fuels is also being promoted in response to international regulations and growing pressure for carbon reduction, and domestic companies are accelerating technological development in these areas.
However, an examination of Korea’s biofuel supply structure reveals that a significant portion of its key feedstocks relies on imported palm oil and its by-products. Palm oil production has long been criticized internationally for driving large-scale deforestation, biodiversity loss, and violations of Indigenous peoples’ rights. In response, the European Union has classified palm oil as a high ILUC-risk (Indirect Land Use Change) feedstock under the Renewable Energy Directive (RED) II and III, and effectively decided to phase it out from the transport sector’s renewable energy targets by 2030.
In addition, POME (Palm Oil Mill Effluent) is categorized as a residue eligible for incentives under the EU RED framework. However, concerns have been raised that the reported trade volume of POME exceeds its actual production, leading to ongoing questions about data reliability and supply chain transparency. In 2024, Germany, Belgium, and Ireland jointly raised the issue at the EU Council level, calling for enhanced transparency and stronger monitoring of POME trade. Such controversies are not limited to POME but extend to other palm oil by-products such as PFAD, highlighting the growing importance of ensuring transparency and traceability across global biofuel supply chains.
This webinar aims to share the latest EU policy and market developments and related concerns with Korean stakeholders, and to examine future directions for Korea’s biofuel policy.
Date & Time: Wednesday, November 12, 2025, 3:00–5:00 PM (KST)
Venue: Half Moon Conference Room, Hi Seoul Youth Hostel
Organizers: Climate Ocean Research Institute (CORI), Advocates for Public Interest Law (APIL), Office of Rep. Hankyu Kim (Democratic Party of Korea), and Heinrich Böll Stiftung East Asia Regional Office
Contact: Advocates for Public Interest Law (APIL) — apil@apil.or.kr
Registration: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_H8hoNP-GSuqhT_SFfTgxoA
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