The European Commission is being taken to court over its refusal to release information alleged to show that biofuels do more harm than good. Britain is required by European law to use renewable sources to meet 10% of its transport needs by 2020 - a target which will be met in large part through the use of biofuels despite questions over their environmental impact.

A coalition representing green groups throughout Europe, including the Environmental Transport Association (ETA) in Britain, wants the European Commission to release 140 documents which detail the negative environmental impact of widespread biofuel use in the EU.

Director at the Environmental Transport Association (ETA), a British organisation represented in the legal action, said:
"Motorists cannot be expected to know the ins and outs of every fuel that is or could be on offer. There must be complete transparency if biofuels are to be seen as credible."