While the term “bioeconomy” hints at a green and natural alternative to the fossil economy, built on biological resources and therefore sustainable, its application comes with a much more problematic reality. The ecosystems from which these resources come are already dramatically overused; an increasing demand for biomass would pose additional pressure on global ecosystems and the people who depend on them.
As part of the Forest Strategy for 2030, the European Commission published a new proposal for Forest Monitoring and Strategic Plans of EU Forests in 2023. This proposal aims at “developing an EU-wide forest observation framework to provide open access to detailed, accurate, regular, and timely information on the condition and management of EU forests, and on the many products and ecosystem services that forests provide” . As Birdlife, we participated in the feedback consultation on the proposal as we strongly support this new framework. In the scope of the current ecological crisis, the law is essential to make sure of an effective implementation process of the existing legislation and the commitments taken by Member States. This article examines the pressing need for improved forest monitoring, the potential of the proposed framework, and areas that need to be refined.
In March 2023, European leaders reached an agreement on new limits for the use of forest biomass under the EU’s Renewable Energy Directive (RED). The agreed version of the law was made official following the adoption by the European Parliament and the Council. This policy aims to eliminate subsidies for energy generated by burning certain categories of forest wood, and disqualify burning wood from primary and old-growth forests from counting toward renewable energy targets. However, the agreement contains numerous loopholes and derogations that will allow business as usual on the ground.
On September 14, the European Parliament voted on the latest revision of the Renewable Energy Directive (RED). In addition to increasing Europe’s renewable energy target to 45%, Parliament also voted on the extent to which wood burning and biofuels should continue to be promoted and counted towards renewable targets.
Through the voices of our local Partners, our series “of clearcuts and birds” tells some of the stories of Finnish, Estonian and Latvian forests and of their incredible biodiversity, as well as the hard consequences of their exploitations, (in)directly driven by the EU’s support for bioenergy.
Through the voices of our local Partners, our series “of clearcuts and birds” tells some of the stories of Finnish, Estonian and Latvian forests and of their incredible biodiversity, as well as the hard consequences of their exploitations, (in)directly driven by the EU’s support for bioenergy.
Through the voices of our local Partners, our series “of clearcuts and birds” tells some of the stories of Finnish, Estonian and Latvian forests and of their incredible biodiversity, as well as the hard consequences of their exploitations, (in)directly driven by the EU’s support for bioenergy.
Through the voices of our local Partners, our series “of clearcuts and birds” tells some of the stories of Finnish, Estonian and Latvian forests and of their incredible biodiversity, as well as the hard consequences of their exploitations, (in)directly driven by the EU’s support for bioenergy.
Today, the European Parliament voted on the revision of the EU Renewable Energy Directive (RED III). Sadly, the Parliament missed the chance to end support for burning forest biomass and to instead redirect misguided subsidies to real renewable energy sources.