Ferns Christmas wish for the bioenergy sector

In early 2018, members of the European Parliament (MEPs) will vote on a new Renewable Energy Directive (REDII). The current RED has encouraged forest destruction through the direct burning of ‘forest biomass’, a limited resource.

However, amendments are urgently needed to ensure public money isn’t wasted subsidising burning whole trees in inefficient power plants – which is bad for the climate and distorts markets.

To repair this perverse EU bioenergy policy and to stand up for forests, the climate and people, we urge MEPs to support these simple proposals:

1. Don’t allow for subsidies for the burning of stumps and stemwood, which are crucial for forest carbon and biodiversity.

2. Only allow for biomass use in the most efficient energy installations, and end biomass co-firing with fossil fuels.

Watch a short film about subsidised wood burning here or find out more about Fern’s work on bioenergy.

Illustration by Seppo.

Categories: NGO Statements, Bioenergy