Bioenergy in Europe - Implementation of EU directives and policies relating to bioenergy in Europe and RD&D priorities for the future

Nov 2008

In 2006-2007, members of the Bioenergy Network of Excellence carried out this study of major European Union directives and policies related to the development of bioenergy in Europe.
The report analyses the implementation of important EU directives and policies relating to bioenergy in Europe to identify major research, development and demonstration (RD&D) needs in the field. Bioenergy deployment in the EU varies greatly from country to country. While some countries are successfully using high shares of bioenergy, at least in some sectors, overall the increase in bioenergy use in the EU has been too slow, falling behind levels needed to help meet the EC’s Kyoto targets. Major EU Directives, commonly known as the RES-E, Biofuels and Landfill Directives, along with the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (EU-ETS) and parts of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), are some of the most important drivers behind the growth of bioenergy in the EU27 today. By analyzing the implementation of the directives in specific member states, this report aims to identify RD&D priorities that, if addressed, will contribute to a substantial increase of the share of bioenergy in the EU energy mix.
In order to assess practical issues like raw material supply, concrete national markets, present and future price levels, and status of relevant technologies, the report focuses on three member states: Finland, Germany and the Netherlands. The three countries examined have quite different biomass feedstocks and quantities as well as unique policies and support mechanisms relating to bioenergy but together they can act as a barometer for bioenergy utilization in the EU.
The analysis clearly demonstrates how careful implementation of relevant directives can increase bioenergy use. But the increase is by no means automatic or uniform. The report compares how Germany, Finland and the Netherlands have implemented the directives, examining the policy frameworks in each country and the plans and mechanisms in place to reach national targets. A wider European perspective for each directive is then drawn out, and recommendations for RD&D actions to meet the EU directive targets or obligations in each area are outlined.
The report also takes a broader look at the effects the EU Emissions Trading Scheme and the Common Agricultural Policy are having on the use of biomass in the EU with RD&D recommendations for each area.

By: VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland

 
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