Sustainability

Background

Sustainability is a core principle of bioenergy. At European level, the Renewable Energy Directive (RED) establishes binding sustainability and greenhouse gas emissions saving criteria for biomass used to produce renewable energy.

The revised Directive (RED III), adopted in 2023, strengthened these requirements, particularly for forest biomass. They include safeguards for biodiversity, soil quality and forest carbon stocks, as well as restrictions on sourcing biomass from protected or highly biodiverse areas.

The role of biomass

Bioenergy remains the EU’s largest source of renewable energy and plays an essential role in the energy transition, particularly in renewable heating.

Sustainable biomass from forestry, agriculture and organic waste can provide renewable heat, electricity and transport fuels. Its contribution depends on responsible sourcing, efficient conversion technologies and greenhouse gas emissions savings across the supply chain.

Compliance with EU sustainability requirements can be demonstrated through recognised voluntary and national certification schemes, supported by traceability, independent auditing and verification.

Our position

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Bioenergy Europe strongly supports the sustainable production and use of biomass and recognises the importance of robust environmental safeguards.

EU sustainability rules should be science-based, proportionate and consistently implemented across Member States, while recognising regional differences and existing sustainable forest management practices.

Bioenergy Europe advocates for clear and harmonised certification requirements that ensure credible verification, avoid unnecessary administrative burdens and provide investment certainty for market operators. A stable regulatory framework is essential to supporting sustainable biomass mobilisation and the continued contribution of bioenergy to Europe’s energy transition.