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.

The Renewable Energy Directive (EU) 2018/2001 of the European Parliament and the Council on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources has finally been approved on December 11, 2018.

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

Renewable Energy Directive

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.