DON’T STAY AT HOME!
Last year was a super year for European energy policy in general and particularly for bioenergy as the European Commission laid out several important proposals. This year these proposals will be negotiated in the Council and in the Parliament.
In the end of January, the Parliament kicked off the discussions on the legislation on land-use, land-use change and forestry (“LULUCF”). This is an important legislative file for the bioeconomy sector, as it will determine how the use of wood for different purposes – including for bioenergy – is accounted for in the EU 2030 climate and energy package.
Another important policy file for the bioenergy sector in 2017 is the Commission proposal for renewable energy directive beyond 2020, which includes a number of critical issues related to bioenergy used in the EU area, such as:
- how can sustainability of biomass be demonstrated?
- how large an emission reduction vis-à-vis fossil fuels is necessary for bioenergy?
- can biofuels be supported in Member states?
- what is an advanced biofuel and are they promoted?
- how is biomass treated in cross-border trade?
The Nordic Baltic Bioenergy Conference that will take place in Helsinki March 29-31 provides an excellent forum for all market players and stakeholders interested in the Nordic and Baltic countries’ markets and technologies to discuss the policy proposals above and market developments.
READ THE FULL BLOG POST FROM Dr. Harri Laurikka, CEO The Bioenergy Association of Finland