Reading Friends of the Earth’s campaign against biofuels is having results. Green Party politician, Caroline Lucas who represents the area in the European Parliament has supported their call to scrap targets to increase biofuels. Biofuels come from growing crops and have been hailed as a green solution to emissions from cars. But Friends of the Earth has found that the drive to increase the use of biofuels is causing many problems.

There is mounting evidence that growing crops for fuel drives up food prices, destroys rainforests and wildlife, and can increase carbon dioxide emissions. The group wants the EU to abandon all biofuel targets, and concentrate on improving vehicle efficiency instead.

The European Parliament is due to vote on the biofuels target in October, but out of Reading’s 10 Members of the European Parliament (MEPs), only 2 have pledged to vote against the target despite hundreds of people writing to them.

Caroline Lucas said: "Biofuels are a false solution to climate change. It’s madness to turn crops into fuel when families are struggling to feed themselves."

Ian Henderson from Reading Friends of the Earth said: "We are delighted that Ms Lucas will vote against this mad target and understands this complex issue. The EU must look at better solutions to climate change such as investing properly in alternatives to cars and ensuring that new cars are as green as possible. We are calling on all our local MEPs to listen to their constituents and vote against the biofuels targets."