Brussels, 09/07/2003 (Agence Europe) - The Commission has approved a German scheme to promote insulation made from renewable raw materials, offering grants for buyers of insulation made from renewable resources such as flax and hemp fibre or grain and sheep's wool. The grants are meant to encourage people to buy environmentally friendly insulating board, which costs more than conventional insulation made from fossil materials. The scheme has been authorised until December 2004. A single sheet of external insulating cladding made from renewable material costs between EUR 155 and EUR 188, compared with around EUR 100 for a similar product made from fossil material such as glass or mineral wool or expanded polystyrene. Insulating board made from renewable material saves natural resources, using renewable materials instead, which are generally CO2 neutral, so using them helps protect the atmosphere and contributes to attaining the targets set in the Kyoto Protocol.