Biomass has a unique and diverse role in the European energy mix today and is essential when it comes to EU’s energy security, affordability and sustainability priorities. The European Biomass Association and its members are the common voice of the European bioenergy sector. We aim to develop the market for sustainable bioenergy by advocating the multiple benefits of sustainable biomass.
1. BIOMASS COUNTS as a component of our future energy mix
In his list of five main priorities for the EU, the new Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker has identified the priority for the EU to become the world’s number one in renewable energies. Biomass is currently making a major contribution to renewable energy use in the EU. It accounts for more than half of European renewables consumption and is showing steady growth patterns across the different market segments. It will not be possible to reach the European 2030 and 2050 climate and energy objectives without increasing the use of bioenergy.
2. BIOMASS COUNTS for alleviating our fossil fuel energy dependency
Biomass makes it possible to reduce fossil fuel imports through providing local, reliable and base-load energy supply to meet EU energy needs.
3. BIOMASS COUNTS for creating jobs and fostering our rural areas
Biomass is a driver to investments. It creates employment and fosters local rural economy. Bioenergy developments create employment all along the supply chain (forest management, logistics, commercialization, production of boilers and stoves, installations, maintenance etc). It also contributes to fostering rural areas through providing management and market opportunities to farmers and forest owners and through encouraging agricultural and forestry innovation.
The wood energy market is an opportunity for forest owners to finance forest management operations while improving their forests, a task that could previously be challenging due to the high costs and sometimes a lack of markets for low quality wood.
For example, bioenergy use can support thinnings which have beneficial consequences on the health and stability of forests, on biodiversity and enhances the growth of high quality timber. In this way, bioenergy actually improves the availability of wood as a sustainable source for other uses, including construction material.
4. BIOMASS COUNTS for tackling energy poverty and improving economic competitiveness
Biomass provides an affordable energy solution to households and can cost less than half the price of heating oil. It also can contribute to lowering energy costs of the industry. Bioenergy markets are creating new opportunities for companies to invest in new energy products and services, benefiting from the recognition of being embedded in the green economy.
What is needed ?
Ensure continuous progress of renewable energy, including bioenergy, beyond 2020
Last October, Member States have confirmed the proposed approach of the Commission to set a minimum 27% renewable energy target binding at EU level but with no binding national commitments from Member States. AEBIOM regrets this decision which means a limited growth perspective and does not build on the potential bioenergy offers. However, the target approach is not the only tool able to guarantee future RES progress. Indeed, the Commission is now expecting to set the appropriate framework (including a governance system) so as to make sure that renewable energy technologies continue their development and that Member States contribute to the EU objective.This framework could, among others, encompass concrete measures and detailed indicators for renewable progress reporting.
Develop an EU heat strategy
The development of EU energy policies has experienced a lack of focus on the heating sector. Attention should now be drawn on heating to balance this development and allow tackling issues such as energy security, energy poverty or decarbonisation of our energy system. In this context, a comprehensive EU heat strategy or action plan, including the role for RES heating technologies combined with energy efficiency measures, should be developed. Under this framework, a comprehensive analysis of the heating sector should first take place, in order to have a holistic vision and knowledge of the sector and, among others, allow an efficient switch to renewable heating technologies. Also, communication actions need to be developed and strengthened in order to raise awareness of consumers on the available RES technologies and the benefits they bring.
Define EU harmonized sustainability criteria
To date, EU binding sustainability criteria are in place only for biofuels used in the transport sector. The establishment of EU mandatory criteria for biomass in the heating and electricity sector would support the continuity of the bioenergy sector development by providing stable investment conditions and evidence to the society on biomass sustainability. The implementation of the criteria should take into account existing national forest legislations and system inventories, as well as sustainable forest management certifications and practices. Only a balanced and non-bureaucratic proposal will allow the endorsement of an EU sustainability framework and ensure the continuity of biomass developments necessary to achieve EU energy and climate policies objectives.
Strengthen the role of RES, including bioenergy, in the energy security strategy
The renewed concerns for our security of supply are to date mainly due to the EU’s heavy dependency on natural gas from Russia, mostly used for heat. Indeed more than 40% of natural gas consumed in Europe is being used for heating of buildings and 31% for industrial processes. Gas is not the only fossil fuel which the EU is dependent on. The same goes for oil which the overall dependency rate keeps increasing by 80%. In its proposal for a “European Energy Security Strategy”, published on 28 May 2014, the European Commission rightly highlights that “a fuel-switch to indigenous renewable heating sources can displace significant amounts of imported fuels”. In addition, in its “Energy Security Stress Test communication”, the Commission clearly identifies biomass both in urgent recommendations and medium term measures to tackle the EU energy security issues. It is now crucial to accompany these statements with concrete measures and commitments that accelerate fuel switch and address the supply side of heating at European level. Biomass technologies are available and practical options which, alongside energy efficiency, will alleviate our fossil fuels dependency.
Join the Biomass Counts Campaign
The Biomass Counts campaign was launched in December 2014 by AEBIOM and aims at stating the reasons why biomass counts in the EU policy debate landscape. Facts, figures and good examples of bioenergy use can be found on the www.biomasscounts.eu website. Show your support by becoming a supporter of the campaign!