About: Renewable Energy Directive
The road to green hydrogen certification – and the potholes to be avoided
As Europe looks to renewables to help it break free from Russian fossil fuels, the EU must ensure it comes up with robust criteria for green hydrogen and learn from the certification of biofuels, write Sacha Alberici, Gemma Toop and Corinna Klessmann.
MEP proposes fewer restrictions on biofuels to meet higher renewables target
The amount of bioenergy in the EU's transport sector will increase under plans put forward by the lawmaker leading the European Parliament's position on the EU’s renewable energy law, a scenario likely to rankle green legislators.
Widespread support in EU Parliament for 45% renewable energy target
In reaction to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, there is growing support across the European Parliament to increase the EU’s 2030 renewable energy target and break away from Russian fossil fuels, lawmakers from across the political spectrum told EURACTIV.
German study slams crop-based biofuels as ‘a cure worse than the disease’
Crop-based biofuels are as damaging to the climate as fossil fuels, a new study by environmental NGO Deutsche Umwelthilfe (DUH) has found. But industry has been quick to reject the study, dismissing its findings as “erroneous” and “misleading”.
EU biofuel plan increases risk of fraudulent imports from Asia: study
EU proposals aimed at cutting transport emissions risk boosting the amount of fraudulent used cooking oil (UCO) imported into the EU, according to a new study by the International Council for Clean Transportation (ICCT), a US-based non-profit organisation.
Key lawmaker tables radical overhaul of EU’s renewable energy directive
Plans to speed up permits for wind farms, promote biofuels in transport, and boost imports of green hydrogen were presented on Tuesday (15 January) by a lawmaker tasked with drawing up European Parliament's position on the EU renewable energy directive.
Green fuels shortage looming due to EU restrictions, industry warns
Europe is in danger of failing to meet the transport industry’s soaring demand for sustainable liquid fuels due to EU restrictions on biofuels, a new industry position paper has claimed.
Industry slams lack of transparency in EU approval process for ‘sustainable biofuels’
The consortium advising the European Commission on suitable sources for the production of sustainable biofuels has come under fire for failing to disclose the criteria used to evaluate feedstocks to industry.
Ringfencing waste oils for jet fuel won’t benefit the climate, researcher says
Using biofuels from waste lipids to meet the EU's proposed sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) mandate will leave a shortfall in other transport sectors, erasing any net climate benefit, Chelsea Baldino of the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) has said.
Europe’s climate legislation must work for citizens, says Spanish lawmaker
Europe's new climate legislation needs to help citizens transition to renewable energy while protecting them from price shocks caused by volatile fossil fuel prices, according to Nicolás González Casares, a Spanish lawmaker for the Socialists and Democrats.
EU Ombudsman corners Commission after denial to unveil used cooking oil data
The European Commission has until February 2022 to comply with the EU Ombudsman’s recommendation to provide data related to the origins of imported Used Cooking Oil (UCO) biofuel in the EU, amid concerns over alleged fraud cases.
Community renovation projects are key to supporting the green transition
Both tenants and homeowners need to be involved in renovation programmes to bring Europe's ageing building stock in line with its climate goals. Energy cooperatives could be one way to encourage citizens' support, writes Ciarán Cuffe.
EU’s strict green criteria for biofuels will hinder supply, MEPs warn
The EU’s "restrictive" approach to biofuels sustainability criteria will harm producers’ ability to meet increased demand for green fuels coming from the transport sector, says Henna Virkkunen, a Finnish lawmaker in the European Parliament.OpinionPromoted content
Availability of advanced, second-generation biofuels increases – Policymakers asked to unleash their full potential
Energy prices are soaring and the Commission in its recent communication confirms its determination to stick to its proposed Fit-for-55-package. It concludes that “the clean energy transition is the best insurance against price shocks like the one the EU is facing today”.
Energy ministers to hold first exchange on EU’s 2030 climate laws
In their first meeting since the European Commission tabled an overhaul of climate legislation in July, EU energy ministers are due to discuss two major files that will drive Europe’s push towards clean energy, according to a room document seen by EURACTIV.
EU drops ‘accounting trick’ to boost green fuel in road transport
The biofuels industry has welcomed the European Commission's proposal to end the statistical inflation of waste-based biofuels in the EU's road transport energy mix, a practice they say camouflaged the use of fossil fuels.
EU’s green hydrogen plans hailed as ‘true game-changer’ by industry
The European Commission boosted regulatory support for green hydrogen in its proposed overhaul of climate legislation published last week, with the renewable hydrogen coalition calling it "a true game changer" for the nascent EU industry.
Fit for 55: looking for a hero net zero
The announcement of the package to become fit for 55% CO2 reduction by 2030 was unusual. It took Commission President Ursula von der Leyen longer to come to the press room than ever before. Clearly, a sign that the decision...
Europe fiddles while forests burn
The European Commission's approach to using forest wood for energy could prove a faux pas ahead of the COP26 UN climate summit in November, a dangerous move which contradicts the findings of the EU executive's own research department, writes Peg Putt.
Narrow focus on electrifying vehicles will harm climate efforts, says fuels industry
Favouring electrification while ignoring low-carbon liquid fuels will hinder the bloc's efforts to decarbonise road transport, a prominent industry body has said ahead of the release of the EU's climate law package.
Forestry and carbon sinks: Damned if you do, damned if you don’t
The complex role of forests in regulating the Earth's climate is set to become one of the most contentious issues in the upcoming revision of Europe’s energy and climate laws.
Europe’s ‘Fit for 55’ climate package: What to expect
On Wednesday (14 July), the European Commission is due to table a package of energy and climate laws aimed at reaching the EU's new, more ambitious climate goals. EURACTIV gives you the lowdown on the plan.
Why the European Green Deal needs a 45% renewables target by 2030
Looking at EU member states’ National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs) for 2030, the European Union is far from harvesting its full solar potential, writes Aurélie Beauvais.