On Wednesday, 31 March, the European Commission launched a public consultation on a draft implementing regulation that aims to provide Member States and economic operators guidance on how to demonstrate compliance with EU criteria for forest biomass used in energy production.
In order to ensure that forest bioenergy is produced in a sustainable way, the EU’s Renewable Energy Directive (2018/2001) has actually introduced new sustainability and greenhouse gas emission reduction criteria for biofuels, bioliquids, and biomass fuels.
Member States have until 30 June 2021 to transpose the directive.
In this context, the draft implementing regulation submitted for consultation establishes the implementing rules that Member States must follow “to ensure a robust and harmonised implementation of the risk-based sustainability criteria” for forest biomass.
The public consultation will close on 28 April—in preparation for the adoption of the implementing act during the second quarter of 2021 (provided that it is first approved by Member States).
To see the draft implementing regulation and access the consultation: https://bit.ly/2OiCnWM (Original version in French by Damien Genicot)