News
Biomass in the Renewable Energy Directive: all smoke and no fire?
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.
EU Parliament votes to limit support for wood burning
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.
OF CLEARCUTS & BIRDS #4
LATVIA
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.
OF CLEARCUTS & BIRDS #3
ESTONIA
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.
OF CLEARCUTS & BIRDS #2
FINLAND
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.
OF CLEARCUTS & BIRDS #1
How bioenergy increases the pressure on forests
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.
Press Release: EU Parliament misses opportunity to end support for wood burning and crop-based biofuels
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.
Our recommendations for the EU Parliament’s plenary vote on the Renewable Energy Directive
On September 14, MEPs will vote in plenary the new Renewable Energy Directive.
Here are our vote recommendations for forest biomass & biofuels.
EU Parliament industry committee votes to include severe loopholes to allow more burning of forests for energy
Today, the EU Parliament’s industry committee (ITRE) voted on recommendations for the EU’s Renewable Energy Directive (RED) that will have far reaching consequences for Europe’s forests as they will open the way for even more burning of wood for energy.
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