![\"\"](\"https:\/\/timberindustrynews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/europeancommission-1-1-1024x747.png\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
The EU's renewables directive has been successfully negotiated. The forest industries welcome the high level of ambition for renewable energy and that the uncertainty about the rules for bioenergy is over.<\/p>\n
In the trilogue negotiations between the EU Commission, Parliament and Council on the Renewable Energy Directive (RED III), it was decided that firewood should continue to be classified as a renewable energy source . The negotiations ended on March 30.<\/p>\n
Special areas are protected<\/strong><\/p>\n Burning wood still counts as renewable energy production. Member states can include wood burning in their renewable mix. \u201cIndustrial grade\u201d logs that are burned to produce energy receive no direct financial support. Wood from \u201cold forests\u201d has to meet special requirements when it is harvested. The member states determine what counts as \u201cold forest\u201d. According to the compromise, primary forests, forests with a very high species richness, very species-rich grassland, wetlands and moors are to be protected against excessive timber harvesting. Plants for the production of biofuels, liquid biofuels and biomass fuels from forest biomass must issue a declaration of assurance that the wood biomass does not come from no-go areas.<\/p>\n In addition, the agreed rules stipulate that wood biomass must be used according to its highest economic and ecological added value (so-called cascade use). Financial support for energy produced from sawn timber, veneer wood, industrial logs and stumps and roots is prohibited. The stricter criteria for biomass are intended to ensure sustainability in terms of biomass use.<\/p>\n Trilogue negotiations correct errors on the topic of renewable energies<\/strong><\/p>\n The result of the negotiations caused different reactions among the MEPs. The Austrian MEP Simone Schmiedtbauer is pleased that \"we were able to prevail in the end and that biomass continues to be considered a renewable energy source.\" Common sense has prevailed.<\/p>\n The EPP group had agreed last September in the EU Parliament that firewood should no longer be considered a renewable energy source in large parts. EPP boss Manfred Weber justified the approval at the time because worse things had been prevented. Among other things, the Greens called for a total ban on firewood.<\/p>\n At the time, however, the EPP Group was counting on the fact that the parliamentary position would be relaxed in the trilogue negotiations under the Swedish Presidency. The calculation worked, apparently also due to the massive influence of EPP MPs.<\/p>\n Schmiedtbauer sees the result as good news for the forest country of Austria , even if there are some restrictions for biomass plants with a maximum capacity of more than 7.5 megawatts (MW). In the future, they must meet the sustainability criteria for bioenergy. So far, the limit was 20 MW.<\/p>\n Greens warn against overexploitation of European forests<\/strong><\/p>\n The Greens, on the other hand, are disappointed. For Martin H\u00e4usling, agricultural policy spokesman for the Greens and shadow rapporteur for RED III in the Environment Committee, it is a \"sobering result\". In his opinion, the energetic, large-scale use of wood in power plants will continue to be rated as climate-neutral across the board at EU level. \"Unfortunately, that no longer corresponds to reality.\" He sees the danger that countries like Austria, which rely on wood burning and can even book this under their national 'renewable mix', will have to make less effort to achieve this goal with sun and windto reach. He considers it particularly fatal that the combustion of wood in industrial power plants continues to be subsidized. The Greens wanted to prevent that when they had their ideas pushed through in the EU Environment Committee.<\/p>\n H\u00e4usling warns against heading towards overexploitation of forests in Europe. They are urgently needed for climate protection.<\/p>\n Share in the renewable energy mix to double by 2030<\/strong><\/p>\n The compromise stipulates a binding share of at least 42.5% of renewable energies in the European energy mix by 2030. According to the EU Commission, this is a doubling of the current share. Even 45% should be aimed for. So far, the target for 2030 is 32%.<\/p>\n EU Climate Commissioner Frans Timmermans counts renewable energy generated here among the cheapest energy sources on the market. \"More renewable energies also mean cheaper and cleaner energy sources for our citizens and companies.\" The EU Parliament and the EU Environment Council now have to approve the compromise. But that is considered a formality.<\/p>\n The forest owners' association and the timber industry comment on the EU's decision \u201cWood is the backbone of the energy transition across the EU. The fact that energy wood can continue to be used and that wood power can also be further expanded is immensely important for achieving the renewables goals,\" says Hans-Christian Kirchmeier, Chairman of the Austrian IG Holzkraft.<\/p>\n The AGDW - the forest owners also welcome the decision. \"For the two million private forest owners, the recognition of wood energy as renewable is a central element of sustainable forestry ,\" says AGDW President Prof. Andreas Bitter. \"Now it is important that the federal government also implements the EU resolutions properly with regard to the needs of sustainable forestry.\" Because the definition of bioenergy ranges that should not be promoted is the responsibility of the member states and should include regional conditions.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The EU’s renewables directive has been successfully negotiated. The forest industries welcome the high level of ambition for renewable energy and that the uncertainty about the rules for bioenergy is over. In the trilogue negotiations between the EU Commission, Parliament … Continue reading