Sustainability Working Group tackles growing pressure on the EU biomass policy framework
On 8 April, Bioenergy Europe’s Working Group Sustainability met to discuss a series of EU policy developments that are expected to shape the future of sustainable biomass and the wider bioeconomy.
The meeting opened with Mårten Larsson from Swedish Forest Industries, who shared the Swedish perspective on RED III implementation and raised concerns about increasing uncertainty around the EU sustainability framework. His intervention highlighted the risks that delays, unclear definitions, and possible future changes could pose to biomass markets.
The Working Group also welcomed Andrei Moarcas from the European Commission, DG ENV, who presented the next steps for the new EU Bioeconomy Strategy. He outlined the Commission’s broader vision for scaling up bio-based solutions, supporting innovation and strengthening the EU’s position in the global bioeconomy. The exchange with members also highlighted ongoing concerns around growing constraints on biomass use, regulatory inconsistencies and the need for clearer sustainability rules.
Further updates were provided by Irene di Padua, Policy Director at Bioenergy Europe, who presented both the revision of the EU Taxonomy’s Climate Delegated Act and the discussion around the RED post-2030 framework. These exchanges underlined a common concern across the sector: Europe needs a stable, coherent and practical legislative framework that recognises the role of sustainable bioenergy without creating unnecessary uncertainty or administrative burden.
The meeting also heard from Christian Rakos, President of the World Bioenergy Association, who presented the ongoing revision of the GHG Protocol and warned about its potentially far-reaching implications for bioenergy and the broader bioeconomy. Participants stressed the importance of staying engaged as this work progresses, particularly given its possible impact on future corporate greenhouse gas accounting.
The discussion closed with additional updates relevant to members, including certification-related developments and governance matters within the Working Group.
Bioenergy Europe’s Working Groups are reserved for members only and offer a valuable forum for exchanging expertise, discussing key EU policy files, and contributing to the association’s advocacy work.
To join these discussions and stay closely involved in the policy debate, become a member here: https://bioenergyeurope.org/join-us-now/
