Austrian Biomass Association

Biomass and bioenergy can contribute in many ways to achieving the objectives of the Industrial Accelerator Act (IAA), in particular in the areas of industrial decarbonisation, strengthening European value chains and increasing security of supply.

Filed in German · English published by the European Commission

The Austrian Biomass Association supports Option 3 – Adapting the RED II targets to the 2030 targets. The reduction of administrative burdens and related potential costs, in particular for producers of raw materials, must be the primary objective. It is expected and assumed that the relevant interest groups in particular will be involved in the discussions. It is also necessary to build on existing systems.

Filed in German · English published by the European Commission

Biotech Act II should avoid creating parallel sustainability systems or additional reporting frameworks that would duplicate current obligations. To meet climate targets on time, the pace of implementation must be accelerated, but this is being slowed down by lengthy administrative processes (regulatory procedures).

The Austrian Biomass Association supports ambitious climate targets and robust, scientifically sound GHG accounting. However, in their current form, the proposals lead to disproportionate burdens on the sector, increase administrative complexity, and jeopardize existing and future investments in renewable bioenergy.

1. Europe’s self-reliance must prioritise its own security of supply. We cannot rely on new dependencies on partners such as the US or Canada. The ultimate goal remains to fully replace Russian energy imports and minimise the risk of political instrumentalisation by other suppliers. Massive energy imports also undermine the EU’s climate objectives, which can only be achieved with indigenous renewable energy sources.

Filed in German · English published by the European Commission

While we consider the review of the post-2030 targets to be necessary, we call for a fundamental revision of the current LULUCF framework. Our key criticism is directed against a policy that prioritises forests as passive carbon pools rather than promoting active management and the associated avoidance of fossil emissions.

Filed in German · English published by the European Commission

Wood heating using wood fuels from sustainable forest management is climate neutral. CO2 emissions from wood fuels move within the above-ground carbon cycle and cannot be compared to CO2 emissions from millions of old fossil fuels from the earth’s crust.

Filed in German · English published by the European Commission

The revised Regulation (EU) 2018/841 (LULUCF) introduces new binding targets for Member States to generate additional land-based removals by 2030. The target is unrealistic and is increasingly becoming a burden on the forestry industry. In some countries, such as Austria, Germany, and Luxembourg, timber stocks per hectare have already reached saturation point and cannot be increased further.