Sustainable bioenergy has been added to EU member states' draft legislation as one of the technologies supporting the bloc's 2040 greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction target. Environment ministers are expected to discuss the revised draft on 18 September.
The European Commission's original proposal did not list bioenergy among the enabling technologies, which included renewables, nuclear, energy efficiency, energy storage, carbon capture and storage/usage, carbon removals, geothermal and hydro power. It also referenced "all other" current and future net-zero energy technologies.
If sustainable bioenergy remains in the final legislative text, it could influence future policy design. Industry group Bioenergy Europe supports the proposed 90pc net GHG reduction target for 2040 and has called for permanent carbon removals to be recognised in the EU emissions trading system (ETS), along with lighter regulation for small biomass emitters.
Industry sources say the member states' draft marks a shift from the commission's earlier stance, which anticipated declining bioenergy demand after 2040 due to electrification. Until then, the Commission expects liquid biofuels to play a significant role in aviation and maritime transport.
Once adopted, the 2040 target will require detailed implementing legislation, including rules on solid biomass use and fuels. These could intersect with the ongoing review of the bloc's effective phase-out of internal combustion engines by 2035.
The reference to "sustainable bioenergy" should extend to carbon-neutral fuels such as renewable ethanol, said David Carpintero, director general of European renewable ethanol association ePURE. The group claims renewable ethanol achieved a 79pc GHG reduction in 2024 compared with fossil fuels. "We'll definitely get to carbon neutrality," Carpintero said, stressing the importance of lifecycle emissions analysis.
More concerning for industry is political opposition to the 2040 target within the European Parliament. The parliamentary draftsman, Ondrej Knotek — a member of the far-right Patriots for Europe group — has called for the 90pc reduction goal to be scrapped. Ongoing political divisions also cast uncertainty over the timeline for final agreement among member states.
Other proposals under discussion include the possibility of storing EU-generated CO2 outside the bloc..
