On Wednesday 14 July, the European Commission unveiled its package of proposals to set the European Union off on the route to reduce its net greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by at least 55% by 2030, in comparison to 1990 levels (‘Fit For 55’ package). Among the thirteen legislative initiatives included in this package, the proposal to revise the EU Renewable Energy Directive (2018/2001) (‘RED II’) envisages, among other things, a strengthening of the sustainability criteria for bioenergy.
The European Commission wants to make it a requirement that all biomass heat and power installations meet minimum GHG emission reduction levels, whereas this measure currently only applies to new installations.
The institution also proposes to prohibit the supply of forest biomass for energy production that originates from primary forests, peatlands and wetlands, as well as only permitting it to come from forests with a high level of biodiversity where this will not conflict with nature conservation objectives.
In order to minimise the use of quality roundwood for energy production, avoid an undue distortion of biomass feedstock markets and negative effects on biodiversity, the proposal promotes a “cascading” use of biomass.
This principle means that wood is used in the following order of priority: wood products, extension of useful life, reuse, recycling, bioenergy and disposal.
A future delegated act will define the practices considered to be in line with the “cascading" principle, while taking due account of national specifications.
Under the proposal, the enhanced sustainability criteria will apply to all heat and power installations that are 5 megawatts (MW) or more in size, instead of the current 20 MW threshold.
Limit public aid
The text includes new, stricter rules on State Aid for bioenergy in order “to ensure that public subsidies don’t send the wrong signals”, said EU Energy Commissioner, Kadri Simson.
The European Commission has therefore suggested banning national schemes that provide financial incentives for the use of sawlogs, veneer logs (high quality wood) and stumps and roots (important for soil) for energy production.
It has also proposed prohibiting subsidies that support the production of electricity using forest biomass in electricity-only installations after 2026.
The institution also added: “Further limitations regarding support schemes to forest biomass may be considered in the future, on the basis of a report on their impact on biodiversity and market distortions”.
Bioenergy currently accounts for 60% of the EU’s renewable energy consumption.
See the proposal for the revision of the ‘RED II’ directive: https://bit.ly/36y3ORX (Original version in French by Damien Genicot)