Background

Sustainability is key to ensure the development of RES in Europe. In 2009, the first European-wide sustainability criteria have been set for liquid biofuels (Renewable Energy Directive I), which has been extended with the Directive on Indirect Land Use Change (ILUC Directive). This first set of criteria was focused on agricultural biomass. With the second Renewable Energy Directive (REDII), the sustainability criteria have been extended to solid and gaseous biomass including new criteria for forest biomass.

The role of bioenergy

Bioenergy represents more than half of the consumption of renewable energy in Europe, a share that is expected to be maintained in 2020 and beyond. While all renewable energy sources have to deal with environmental questions, sustainability is specific to the biomass sector because of the feedstock used for fuel. Since bioenergy use is expected to continue growing in the EU, it is crucial to ensure that all biomass is sustainably supplied.

Our position

Bioenergy Europe believes that sustainability is a major factor in the development of the bioenergy sector in Europe. This is why, Bioenergy Europe has been advocating in favour of the establishment of a harmonised EU sustainability policy for solid biomass for heating & cooling and electricity production. In a context where bioenergy is a key technology in the EU renewables portfolio, harmonised sustainability rules will ensure that these expected increases continue to take place within a sustainable framework.