Transcript Title: Forest/Environment

Renewable energy – EU policy update
Mihail DUMITRU
European Commission, Directorate-General for Agriculture
Europe 2020 – priorities
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Smart growth
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Sustainable growth
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Inclusive growth
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Europe 2020 - targets
Climate change/energy is one the 5 targets of
the 2020 strategy
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20 (30) % reduction of GHG emissions
20% share of renewable energy
20% increase in energy efficiency
By 2020 ambitious goals
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Flagship initiatives
Innovation Union
 refocusing R&D and innovation policy on
major challenges for our society like
climate change, energy and resource
efficiency, health and demographic change
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Renewable Energy Directive
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Sets mandatory targets: 20% RE share (10% RE in
transport), but no specific targets for bioenergy and
biofuels
Requires national action plans
Standardises “guarantees of origin” (certifying the
renewable origin of electricity or heat) and enables
the transfer of these
Requires sustainability of biofuels
Requires reduction of administrative and regulatory
barriers, improves access to the electricity grid
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CAP & renewable energy
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CAP reforms and decupling – farmers are free to chose
what to produce (food, feed, energy, material,
environment)
Support for energy crops- for a short period
Health Check – renewable energy among priorities
2007-2013 CAP pillar II a wide range of measures
supporting energy efficiency, reduction of GHG
emissions, production & consumption of a wide range of
renewable energy, farm diversification, short rotation
coppice, etc
Sustainability of biomass production
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Energy in agriculture

Agriculture consumer & producer of energy
 Consumer - three energy inputs (diesel fuel,
fertilizer, and electricity)
 In agriculture, supply disruption of even a
short duration could mean a substantial
reduction or the complete loss of an entire
growing season
 producer of energy - bioenergy
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Renewable energy - Agriculture
Role of Agriculture to 20/20/20 target
 GHG emission
 Bio-energy alternative to conventional
energy
 Energy efficiency
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Outline

Prospects for bioenergy in the EU
 Sustainability of bioenergy
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Bioenergy

Plays a key role in achieving the EU goals in
terms of renewable energy and climate
change
 Benefits from clear, ambitious and binding
targets
 Can expect dynamic growth in the
foreseeable future
 Has to make things better – has to be
sustainable
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Projections using PRIMES/GreenX estimate
that around 165-195 Mtoe of biomass would
be used in 2020 to achieve the 20%
renewables in primary energy target.
 The European Environment Agency (EEA)
report of 2006 concluded that 235 Mtoe in
2020 can be theoretically available even if
strict environmental constraints are applied
 But many other studies have been
published, which come up with substantially
higher and lower estimates
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EU 27 Biomass Potential by
Sector (BEE, 2008)
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Sustainability of bioenergy
is already part of the CAP
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Sustainability Criteria: Objectives
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Ensure a minimum GHG saving (level of
ambition is increasing over time)
 Prevent conversion of high carbon stock
lands
 Avoid losses of/damage to highly biodiverse
land
 Ensure environmental and social standards
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Sustainability Criteria
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Legally binding for biofuels and other
bioliquids, condition for elegibility to the
mandates and for support by Member
States (Renewable Energy Directive)
 Should also apply (with few exceptions,
modifications) to other biomass for energy
use (Commission Report, 25.2.2010)
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Ensure minimum GHG saving
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Increasing thresholds: From 35% to 50% from 2017
(60% for new plants), derogation for operating
plants up to 04.2013
 Calculation: In reference to replaced fossil fuel,
Life-Cycle from cultivation to final use (LUC
included), detailed methodology in the Directive
 Operators can choose: take default values from
the Directive or calculate actual values for GHG
saving
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Protect biodiversity
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No use of material from primary forest,
protected areas, unless compatible with
nature protection and highly biodiverse
grassland (to be defined)
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Ensure environmental and social
standards
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Cross-compliance rules for agricultural
biomass from the EU only
 Reporting obligations for operators:
Information on measures taken on soil,
water & air protection, and social
requirements. Details to be provided by the
Commission soon (clause of no excessive
burden)
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Sustainability of other biomass
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Less than 5% solid/ gaseous biomass is imported to
EU (for electricity, heating and cooling), but imports
of pellets are increasing.
Many small sized energy-producers in the EU,
where there are concerns about efficient use
EU forestry, agriculture and waste management
subject to environmental rules
Solid biomass and biogas have generally high GHG
savings
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CAP post 2013

The CAP towards 2020: Meeting food, natural resources
and territorial challenges of the future
Priorities for Rural development policy:
 Promoting farms viability and competitivness
 Promoting resource efficiency in agri-food sector
 Promoting transition to low-carbon economy
 Protecting and enhancing ecosystems dependent on
agriculture and forestry
 Realising the growth and jobs potential of rural areas
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