Bioenergy Policy and Legislation
A number of directives cover biofuels use in the EU including the ILUC-Directive 2015/1513/EU, Renewable Energy Directive (EU) 2018/2001, Renewable Energy Directive 2009/28/EC (RED), the Fuel Quality Directive 2009/30/EC (FQD) and the earlier Biofuels Directive 2003/30/EC.
Current EC policy and legislation relating to bioenergy
The European Green Deal
The European Green Deal is a roadmap of key policies and measures to fight against climate change. The aim is to reach climate neutrality, which means no net emissions of greenhouse gases in 2050, and the decoupling of economic growth from use of resources. Bioenergy as part of a new, modern, emerging bioeconomy, could have an essential contribution to reach that aim.
European Green Deal Call
In support of the Green Deal a H2020 call will mobilise research and innovation to foster a just and sustainable societal transition.
The call will support
- pilot applications, demonstration projects and innovative products
- innovation for better governance of the green and digital transition
- social and value chain innovation
A stakeholder survey was run between May and June 2020 - the results of the almost 6000 responses can be viewed here. The Green Deal Call will be amended until September 2020. Submission Deadline is end of January 2021.
Directive (EU) 2018/2001 on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources
- Approval by European Parliament on 11 Dec 2018
- 35 % improvement in energy efficiency
- Minimum 35 % share of energy from renewable sources in gross final consumption of energy
- 12 % share of energy from renewable sources in transport by 2030
- Biomass fuels consumed in transport, where produced from food and feed crops, shall not exceed a maximum of 7 % of final consumption of energy in the road and rail transport sectors in that Member State
- Contribution of advanced biofuels and biogas produced from the feedstock listed in Part A of Annex IX as a share of final consumption of energy in the transport sector shall be at least 0,2 % in 2022, at least 1 % in 2025 and at least 3,5 % in 2030
- Each Member State shall set an obligation on fuel suppliers to ensure that the share of renewable energy within the final consumption of energy in the transport sector is at least 14 % by 2030
Directives and Communications
Further information on European Legislation is available through EUR-Lex the portal to European Union law. EUR-Lex provides direct free access to European Union law. The system makes it possible to consult the Official Journal of the European Union and it includes inter alia the treaties, legislation, case-law and legislative proposals. It offers extensive search facilities.
References and Further Reading
EBTP Position on Rappoteur Amendment to the RED/FQD Proposal
European Biodiesel Board Press Release
iLUC Prevention Study - Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development
NASA Earth Observatory Tropical Deforestation Update
Renewable ethanol: enabling innovation and sustainable development: State of the Industry 2015
Baseline time accounting: Considering global land use dynamics when estimating the climate impact of indirect land use change caused by biofuels
Land Use Change Greenhouse Gas Emissions of European Biofuel Policies Utilizing the Global Trade Analysis Project (GTAP) Model
A change for the worse: The campaign to re-dredge ‘Indirect Land Use Change'
Greenhouse gas impact of marginal fossil fuel us
Links to EC Policies, initiatives and official information relating to bioenergy
Strategic Energy Technologies Information System (SETIS)
See also MEMO/09/437 – Questions and answers
Energy 2020 A strategy for competitive, sustainable and secure energy
Communication on Energy Technologies and Innovation SWD(2013) 157 final / SWD(2013) 158 final (May 2013)
Strategy for a Sustainable European Bioeconomy
A resource-efficient Europe – Flagship initiative of the Europe 2020 Strategy
DG Energy pages on bioenergy and biofuels