Promoting Renewables II [EU]

Promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources

Directive 2009/28/EC — promoting the use of energy from renewable sources

This directive, which amends and repeals earlier Directives 2001/77/EC and 2003/30/EC, creates a common set of rules for the use of renewable energy in the EU so as to limit greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and promote cleaner transport.
It sets national binding targets for all EU countries with the overall aim of making renewable energy sources account by 2020 for 20% of EU energy and for 10% of energy specifically in the transport sector (both measured in terms of gross final energy consumption, i.e. total energy consumed from all sources, including renewables).

Key Points

Each EU country is to make a national action plan for 2020, setting out how to achieve the national target for renewables in gross final energy consumption as well as the 10% target for renewable energy sources in transport.
To help achieve targets in a cost-effective way, EU countries can exchange energy from renewable sources*. To count towards their action plans, EU countries can also receive renewable energy from countries outside the EU, provided that energy is consumed in the EU and that it is produced by modern/efficient installations.

Each EU country must be able to guarantee the origin of electricity, heating and cooling produced from renewable energy sources.

EU countries should build the necessary infrastructure for using renewable energy sources in the transport sector.
Directive (EU) 2015/1513 amends Directives 2009/28/EC and 98/70/EC, the EU’s law on the quality of petrol and diesel fuels. Among other things, it aims to start the transition from conventional* (first-generation) biofuels to advanced* (second-generation) biofuels that deliver substantial GHG savings. It introduces a 7% cap on conventional biofuels to count towards the renewable energy directive targets for final energy consumption in transport by 2020.

Application & Background

It has applied since 25 June 2009. EU countries had to incorporate it into national law by 5 December 2010.

This directive implements one of the 20-20-20 targets from the EU’s 2020 climate and energy package. The other two targets are to:
reduce GHG emissions by 20% from 1990 levels; and
improve energy efficiency by 20%.
For more information, see:

‘Renewable energy’ on the European Commission’s website.

KEY TERMS

Energy from renewable sources: energy from non-fossil sources, such as wind, solar, geothermal, hydropower, biomass and sewage treatment plant gas (e.g. methane).

Conventional biofuels: made from food crops, such as sugar, starch and vegetable oils. They are produced from land using feedstock, which can also be used for food and feed.

Advanced biofuels: made from sources that do not compete directly with food and feed crops, such as wastes and agricultural residues.

MAIN DOCUMENT

Directive 2009/28/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 April 2009 on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources and amending and subsequently repealing Directives 2001/77/EC and 2003/30/EC (OJ L 140, 5.6.2009, pp. 16-62)

Successive amendments and corrections to Directive 2009/28/EC have been incorporated in the basic text. This consolidated version is of documentary value only.

RELATED DOCUMENTS

Directive 98/70/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 October 1998 relating to the quality of petrol and diesel fuels and amending Council Directive 93/12/EEC (OJ L 350, 28.12.1998, pp. 58-68)

Encouraging the use of biomass as an alternative source of energy

Biomass can help tackle climate change by lowering greenhouse gas emissions. Its use for heating, electricity generation and transport fuels can diversify the European Union’s (EU) energy supply and create growth and jobs. For its contribution to be effective, it must be produced in a sustainable manner.

Communication from the Commission – Biomass action plan (COM(2005) 628 final of 7 December 2005).

Biomass can help tackle climate change by lowering greenhouse gas emissions. Its use for heating, electricity generation and transport fuels can diversify the European Union’s (EU) energy supply and create growth and jobs. For its contribution to be effective, it must be produced in a sustainable manner.

It sets out ways to increase the development of biomass energy by creating incentives for its use and removing obstacles to its production. It identifies measures to promote biomass in heating, electricity and transport. It addresses issues such as supply, financing and research. The action plan was a first step to highlight the industry’s importance.

Key Points

The communication led to further initiatives to promote biofuels.

Sustainability criteria exist to ensure that the use of biofuels guarantees real carbon savings and protects biodiversity. They stipulate that biofuels:

must achieve greenhouse gas savings of at least 35 % compared to fossil fuels. This rises to 50 % in 2017;
cannot be grown in areas with previously high carbon stock such as wetlands and forests;
cannot be produced from raw materials harvested from biodiversity-rich land.
Voluntary schemes verify whether producers comply with the sustainability criteria. If they do, they are eligible for financial support or their output counts towards national renewable targets.

Procedures for permits: practical recommendations provide help and advice to project developers, NGOs and public authorities when handling requests to build biomass plants.

The European advanced biofuels flight path aims to promote biofuels as a renewable fuel alternative for aircraft.

Background

Biomass is derived from organic material such as trees, plants and agricultural and urban waste. Its production involves a chain of activities from growing of feedstock to final energy conversion. In 2012, biomass and waste accounted for some two thirds of all renewable energy consumption in the EU.

For more information, see the European Commission’s biomass website.

RELATED ACTS

Directive 2009/28/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 April 2009 on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources and amending and subsequently repealing Directives 2001/77/EC and 2003/30/EC (OJ L 140 of 5.6.2009, pp. 16-62).

Green Paper – A European strategy for sustainable, competitive and secure energy (COM(2006) 105 final of 8.3.2006).

Bioeconomy for Europe

This communication on bioeconomy* outlines a wide-ranging strategy to move the European Union towards greater and more sustainable use of renewable resources in the face of environmental, energy and food security challenges, while stimulating economic growth and creating jobs.

Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions: Innovating for sustainable growth: a bioeconomy for Europe (COM(2012) 60 final of 13.2.2012).

The strategy’s goal is a more innovative and low-emission economy, reconciling these diverse but interconnected challenges and embracing the sustainable use of renewable biological resources in industry. In doing this, biodiversity and environmental protection should be assured, stimulating economic growth and creating jobs.

With the world’s population expected to increase by more than 30 % in the next 40 years, meeting these complex challenges requires research and innovation in order to achieve rapid, concerted and sustained change.

Key Points

For its implementation, the strategy presents a bioeconomy action plan, which focuses on three main areas, as indicated below.

Ensuring investment in research, innovation and skills for the bioeconomy, through EU funding, national funding and partnerships with the private sector. Supporting the development of bioeconomy curricula in universities and vocational training schemes is an important element of this.

Better coordination and engagement with policy makers and stakeholders on bioeconomic issues, through the creation of advisory bioeconomy panels at all levels. A bioeconomy observatory should monitor progress, while the strategy also proposes regular conferences of interested parties. International cooperation and the sharing of expertise on food security, climate change and the issue of sustainable biomass supply are to be encouraged.

Opening up markets and improving competitiveness in the bioeconomy sector by boosting sustainable production and promoting waste conversion into new products. The strategy also promotes the importance of standards and consistent ways of assessing sustainability, as well as facilitating ‘green’public procurement.

Background

With an annual turnover of around €2 trillion and employing around 22 million people, the bioeconomy is already one of the most important components of the EU economy.

It is estimated that direct research funding associated with the bioeconomy strategy under Horizon 2020 could generate about 130,000 jobs and €45 billion by 2025.

KEY TERM

Bioeconomy: an economy using biological resources from the land and sea as well as waste, including food wastes, as inputs to industry and energy production. It also covers the use of bio-based processes to green industries.

For more information, see the European Commission’s Bioeconomy website.