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Biomass

Biomass originates from organic material from forestry and agriculture (trees, plants), waste and residues of biological origin, and the biodegradable fraction of waste. It can be used for heating, electricity generation, and the production of transport fuels. When produced, processed and used in a sustainable and efficient way, biomass can help diversify Europe’s energy supply, support jobs and value chains, and deliver greenhouse-gas (GHG) savings.

Biomass for energy (bioenergy) remained the main source of renewable energy in the EU and accounted for about 59% of renewable energy consumption in 2021 (as reported in the Union bioenergy sustainability reporting framework).

EU Rules on Sustainable biomass

Biomass for energy must be produced, processed and used sustainably and efficiently to optimise GHG savings and maintain ecosystem services. The EU sustainability framework is primarily set under the Renewable Energy Directive (RED) and was strengthened in the revised RED (EU/2023/2413), in force since 20 November 2023.

What the revised rules strengthen (practical highlights)1) “No-go areas” for biomass sourcing
Only biomass that does not originate from protected “no-go” areas can be counted towards EU renewables targets and receive subsidies. The revised directive extends and reinforces these restrictions (including for forest biomass).

The categories include, among others: primary and old-growth forests, highly biodiverse forests/grasslands, certain high carbon stock land, and peatland.


2) Harvesting requirements for forest biomass
The revised directive introduces specific harvesting requirements for forest biomass used for energy production, including requirements related to clear-cuts and deadwood extraction.

3) Greenhouse gas emissions savings requirements (heat & power)
GHG savings criteria (introduced for new installations under RED II) were extended to also cover existing installations. Sustainability and GHG savings criteria must now apply to heat and power installations ≥ 7.5 MW for solid biomass fuels.

4) Support schemes and subsidies: “cascading principle” + restrictions
EU countries must design national support schemes in line with the biomass cascading principle (woody biomass should be used according to its highest economic and environmental added value). The revised rules also ban new subsidies (or renewal of subsidies) for electricity-only installations producing electricity from forest biomass (i.e., where electricity production is not combined with heat).

5) Consistency with LULUCF obligations
EU countries must ensure their use of forest biomass for energy is consistent with strengthened Land Use, Land Use Change and Forestry (LULUCF) obligations and reflect supporting measures in updated National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs).

Biomass in the Renewable Energy Directives

Sustainability and GHG savings criteria for agricultural biomass production were first introduced in 2009 under the Renewable Energy Directive. In 2018, the recast directive (RED II – Directive (EU) 2018/2001) introduced criteria also for forest biomass. In 2023, the revised directive (EU/2023/2413) targetedly strengthened sustainability and GHG savings criteria for biomass, building on evidence including a Joint Research Centre report on woody biomass for energy.

Core legal references:

• Renewable Energy Directive 
• Revised RED (Directive (EU) 2023/2413): https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2023/2413/oj
• Implementing Regulation on forest biomass sustainability criteria (EU/2022/2448)
• LULUCF Regulation (EU/2018/841)
  
  

Union bioenergy report (sustainability reporting)

As part of the State of the Energy Union reporting, the Commission must publish a bioenergy report every 2 years. The 2023 Union bioenergy sustainability report (COM/2023/650) was the first under this cycle (published October 2023).

Key documents:

• 2023 Union bioenergy sustainability report (COM/2023/650)
• 2024 study supporting reporting (data underpinning the 2023 report)
• News summary (27 Oct 2023)
  
  

Certification and voluntary schemes (proof of compliance)

Compliance with sustainability and GHG savings criteria is commonly demonstrated through voluntary certification schemes recognised at EU level.
More information:

• Voluntary schemes 
  
  

Consult the Biofuel Page

Go to the EU Technological Platform for Bioenergy