Answer to the call for evidence on the national targets and flexibilities post-2030

Bioenergy Europe welcomes the opportunity to provide feedback on the National Targets and Flexibilities in the context of the post-2030 framework.

The Association fully supports the Commission’s efforts to update the energy policy infrastructure for the decade ahead. This is even more relevant, given the current geopolitical situation, which requires a reliable, homegrown, affordable, and fully defossilised energy system.

Sustainable bioenergy is a core pillar of the EU’s climate mitigation efforts and makes a significant contribution to European security of supply, providing almost 11%1 of the EU’s energy consumption.

Commission analysis indicates that bioenergy use will need to increase by approximately 69% to meet the EU’s 2050 climate neutrality target. This includes applications in renewable heat and power, high-temperature industrial processes, advanced fuels, and carbon removals through Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS) and Biochar Carbon Removals (BCR).

In the context of the consultation, Bioenergy Europe proposes to:

• Ensure a stable and coherent EU climate framework
• Recognise the role of sustainable bioenergy in delivering permanent removals and make carbon removal instruments accessible
• Adopt a hybrid approach to national targets
• Introduce an adequate compliance period