Demands for higher targets, a systems perspective and a harmonized approach

In the beginning of March, f3 reported that ETIP Bioenergy (European Technology and Innovation Platform) was busy peoducing a position paper about the updated EU Renewable Energy Directive, the so-called RED II. As a representative in the ETIP Bioenergy Steering committee, f3 has participated in the work.

In short, the paper describes the ETIP Bioenergy view on the role and significance of biofuels in order to reach the RED II targets. The key recommendations can be summed as follows:

  • The increased 2030 targets for renewables in relation to 2020, concerning both total energy and energy for transport, need to be increased in order to meet the targets set by the Paris Agreement in 2015.
  • New mobility modes will not directly or totally replace the traditional alternatives; both will need to exist in parallel. Strategies for developing , combining, and integrating different technologies and applications should be developed in order to utilise synergy effects.
  • The EU should encourage Member States to take an overall harmonized approach and to strive for the highest share possible (within the 7% limit) of sustainable conventional biofuels. The EU should also refrain from using the option to decrease the 14% target.
  • To reach the deployment of advanced biofuels and other renewable fuels, an integrated approach of strong policy measures, research, innovation and improved financing solutions is necessary for all mobility modes that help to meet the RED II targets.
  • Strong sustainability criteria for biofuels and their feedstocks are essential, and R&D efforts are also needed to properly assess the sustainability of biofuels. With regards to sector coupling, well-to-wheel approaches should be considered when assessing GHG emission reduction.

In summary, the ETIP Bioenergy argues that all measures are important for us to have a chance to reach the ambitious targets in the Paris Agreement. Read the full position paper here.