This report by the European Environment Agency, published in January 2008, confirms that there is a large potential for bioenergy production from agricultural biomass in Europe. However, the increasing demand for biofuels raises concerns about additional pressure on Europe’s environment and farmland biodiversity. The report analyses the ’environmentally compatible’ potential of biomass production in 25 EU Member States and warns that Europe’s biodiversity, waters and soils could be threatened unless significant protective measures are put in place.

Figures released by Defra on 31 January 2008 show that the UK's carbon dioxide emissions “stayed virtually the same” in 2006, dropping by just 0.1% to 554.5 million tonnes CO2. Overall greenhouse gases fell by 0.5% on the year before.

Defra has published a new review of the potential for reduced tillage practices and organic matter returns to increase the carbon content of English and Welsh arable soils as a means of mitigating greenhouse gas emissions.