On Monday the 15th of January 2018, EURACTIV published an opinion article titled Bioenergy at the Centre of EU Renewable Energy Policy, signed by a group of more than 50 scientists.

Bioenergy is one of the most affordable renewable energy technologies […]. Amongst the renewable energy options, bioenergy has the unique potential to deliver significant benefits to society and the environment It is available in solid, liquid and gaseous forms and can be used for power, heating and transport. Sources of bioenergy are plentiful and can bring wealth and jobs to rural areas across the world and enable profit to be derived from marginal land.

We believe that bioenergy has to be an essential part of the EU energy mix for at least the next 30 years. Without bioenergy and CCUS technologies, the COP21 commitment for a 1.5 degree reduction will be very hard, if not impossible to achieve. The negative impacts on the climate and society from such a failure will be significant for humans and biodiversity. However, at the same time we clearly need to promote good practice in a well-regulated bioenergy industry that ensures it is done well. We therefore urge MEPs to vote in favour of RED amendments that will consolidate bioenergy at the centre of EU renewable energy policy.

Read the full article Bioenergy at the Centre of EU Renewable Energy Policy.