Renewable Energy Directive
Timeline
Trade Policy
Free Trade Agreements
Biofuels RED I+II
Renewable Energy Directive EU
Summary
Renewable Energy Directive (RED I) and the 2015 Indirect Land Use Change (ILUC) Directive
- 2020 target: 20% renewable energy; 20% efficiency improvement; 10% renewable energy in transport (binding)
- 7% cap crop based biofuels
- sustainability criteria (no deforestation, land use, peat land use, etc.); compliance through voluntary schemes
References:
RED I (2009/28 original text)
ILUC Directive (2015/1513)
RED I (2009/28 consolidated version after 2015/1513)
Implemented in NL:
Besluit energie vervoer
Regeling energie vervoer
Click here for more information on the implementation of the ILUC Directive in The Netherlands.
The progress report (Dutch) on the Dutch RED development is made every year by the Dutch Emission Authority.
Click here for the MVO News Alert with highlights of the most recent report. Click here for all reports since 2011.
The development of biofuels production and demand in the EU can be found in the EU Biofuels Barometer.
Biofuels used to comply with the REDI should comply with sustainability criteria. Compliance can be demonstrated using one of the Voluntary Schemes authorized by the European Commission.
Fuel Quality Directive (FQD)
- 6% CO2 emission reduction in all fuel in 2020
References:
FQD (2009/30)
Renewable Energy Directive (RED II)
- 32% overall EU target for renewable energy by 2030
- 14% renewable energy target for the transport sector by 2030
- starting point 2021 and total minimum share of renewables each year are national RED I targets for 2020 (Annex I Table A)
- 1G biofuels capped at 2020 consumption levels, plus possible 1% increase, however maximum at 7%. Member States who are below 2% can go up to 2%. Share of high IlUC food/feed crops to be capped at 2019 levels unless certified as low ILUC
- opt-out option: if MS choose to have lower cap, they may also lower the overall target
- phase out high deforestation risk biofuels by 2030
- double counting for both Annex IX A and B
- review of feedstocks Annex IX A and B first June 25th 2019, then every 2 years (only adding, no removal)
- share of biofuels made from feedstocks of Annex B capped at 1.7%, Member States can go higher if availability feedstocks allows
- advanced biofuels targets: 0.2% 2022, 1% 2025, 3.5% 2030
- supply to aviation and maritime sector counted 1.2 times its energy content (exept crop based fuels)
References:
RED II (2018/2001)
Sustainability
EU action against Deforestation and Forest Degradation
EU Action against Deforestation and Forest Degradation
Deforestation and forest degradation has already been highlighted in the 2008 Commission Communication on deforestation and forest degradation.
This (non-legislative) initiative is a response to the persistence of the issue of global deforestation and the increasing awareness of the link between deforestation and agricultural expansion. The EU, as a major importer of agricultural commodities, is part of the problem but can also be part of the solution.
The initiative directly contributes to the objectives of the 2008 Communication on deforestation to support “the aims of halting global forest cover loss by 2030 at the latest and of reducing gross tropical deforestation by at least 50% by 2020 compared to 2008 levels”. Among others, the initiative also complements the ‘Reducing carbon Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation’ (REDD+) process.
It will also help the EU to meet its related international commitments, in particular the Sustainable Development Goals, the Paris Agreement on climate change, the UN Strategic Plan for Forests, the UN New York Declaration on Forests, and the Convention on Biological Diversity Aichi targets.
(Lead: DG ENVIRONMENT – Unit F3 Multilateral Environmental Cooperation)
References:
Study on ‘The impact of EU consumption on deforestation’
'Feasibility study on options to step up EU action against deforestation’
MVO position
MVO's Position on Biofuel
Click here for the MVO position on biofuel RED II (January 2018).
24 December RED II
RED II enters into force. Click here for the details.
31 December RED I
Member states need to submit progress report promotion and use of energy from renewable sources (RED I).
NL
Target 8.5%
2019
NL
Target 12.5%
15 January
sustainability
Communication on stepping up EU Action against Deforestation and Forest Degradation (Roadmap). Feedback period 18.12.2018 - 15.01.2019. For overview feedback click here.
22 January
Trade policy
EU and ASEAN ministers establish joint working group to address issues relating to palm oil.
Headline
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Nulla volutpat urna quis consequat pellentesque. In mollis interdum placerat. Quisque venenatis, est vel auctor ornare, nisi risus lobortis augue, eget vulputate nibh dolor quis enim. Integer lobortis aliquet velit. Pellentesque dignissim at arcu ut sodales. Praesent ut efficitur mi. Aliquam bibendum congue aliquet. Nullam non diam diam. Aliquam at vestibulum erat. Nunc congue, enim nec sodales convallis, magna risus tristique augue, in maximus ipsum dui nec elit. Duis imperdiet id magna vel varius. Aliquam porttitor fermentum ornare.
In id nunc in turpis lobortis mattis eu sed massa. Pellentesque vel dui vitae felis efficitur maximus. Phasellus eget nibh molestie, semper leo quis, sollicitudin sapien. Vestibulum malesuada suscipit lacus eu imperdiet. Nunc accumsan libero enim, sit amet cursus ex commodo nec. Suspendisse a massa porttitor, eleifend neque in, auctor orci. Proin ut hendrerit nisi. Aliquam metus felis, molestie id dignissim id, aliquam a purus.
References:
Study on The i mpact of EU consumption on deforestation
Feasibility study on options to step up EU action against deforestation (PDF)
24 January
Trade policy
Exchange of views on free trade negotiations EU-Indonesia by European Parliament’s International Trade (INTA) committee.
BY 1 February
Red I
European Commission to submit a report to European Parliament and Council on:
- status worldwide production expansion relevant food/feed crops
- criteria certificating low ILUC risk biofuels + determining high ILUC risk feedstock for which a significant expansion of production area into land with high-carbon stock is observed (Delegated Act).
What is Indirect Land Use Change (ILUC)?
Indirect Land Use Change is described by the European Commission as: “When biofuels are produced on existing agricultural land, the demand for food and feed crops remains, and may lead to someone producing more food and feed somewhere else. This can imply land use change (by changing e.g. forest into agricultural land), which implies that a substantial amount of CO2 emissions are released into the atmosphere”.
Procedure
The RED II mandated the European Commission to develop a Delegated Act (DA). The draft, which was due February 1st 2019, was published following a very short interservice consultation requesting the formal opinion of other Directorates General and a meeting with all 28 EU Commissioners. On March 8th 2019 or very soon after, the European Commission can adopt the final proposal. The European Parliament and the Council have two months to raise objections to the draft proposal. On the basis of the current meeting calendar and the elections of the European Parliament, it is quite likely that the European Parliament will vote in the plenary week of April 15th to 19th 2019. Click here for the relevant MVO news item on the draft proposal of the DA. Click here for the news item on the report on the status of production expansion of relevant food and fed crops worldwide.
The European Commission is also mandated to publish a report on the use of food and feed crops for biofuel purposes and their impact on indirect land use change by February 1st 2019. Navigant/Ecofys is hired by the European Commission to advise on the low ILUC certification. The low ILUC certification will be detailed later by an Implementing Act (IA). Navigant/Ecofys delivered the report “Methodologies for the identification and certification of low ILUC risk biofuels” in 2016 to the European Commission.
9 FEBRUARY
Red I
The European Commission published the draft proposal of a Delegated Act. This version (originally February 1st 2019) is open for comments till 14 March 8th 2019. Then a final draft proposal has to be submitted to the European Parliament and Council. The report on the status of the worldwide production expansion of relevant food/feed crops also due February 1 still has to be published. Click here for the relevant MVO news item.
13 February
Trade policy
EU officially publishes countervailing duties on biodiesel from Argentina. For the MVO news item click here.
28 February
Trade policy
6th CPOPC ministerial in Jakarta. For the MVO news item and joint press statement click here.
5 MARCH
Red II
The European Commission is organizing an Expert Meeting with representatives of the Member States where the draft proposal of the Delegated Act will be discussed.
11 - 15 March
Trade policy
7th round of free trade negotiations EU-Indonesia in Brussels. For the report click here.
13 March
Red II
European Commission published text of the Delegated Act. The draft of the first version of the Delegated Act was published on February 8 th 2019. The text will now be submitted officially to European Parliament and Council for scrutiny. Should an objection be raised, the EP will have to vote on it during one of its remaining Plenary sessions (25-28 March, 3-4 April, 15-18 April) before recession. Click here for the relevant MVO news item.
15 March
Trade policy
Statement by Teresa Kok, Minister of Primary Industries Malaysia, on the European Union’s Delegated Act of March 13 2019 on the use of palm oil in biofuels.
15 March
Trade policy
Statement by the Minister of Foreign Affairs Malaysia Dato’ Saifuddin Abdullah on the adoption of the Delegated Act by the European Commission 16 March 2019.
Q1
sustainability
Public consultation to express views on the problem of deforestation and forest degradation and on an EU approach to tackle them. Consultation period 14.01.2019 - 25.02.2019.
1 April
Red I
Approval or comments EP and Council on the Delegated Act; extension 2 months possible (due to elections) in practice only 1 month.
3 April
Red II
Plenary debate on palm oil, incl. RED/ILUC, in House of Representatives of the Netherlands.
15 April
Red II
The European Commission has requested the EU Council to clarify its position on the Delegated Act by 15 April.
15 - 19 April
Red II
Last option for the EP to vote on the Delegated Act published 13 March 2019 before the elections of the new European Parliament. The EU’s co-legislators (European Parliament and Council) in principal will have two months since to table objections to reject - but not to amend - in the absence of which the Delegated Act will enter into force. Click here for the relevant MVO news item.
29 april
sustainability
Summery of public consultation towards an EU 'Communication on Stepping up EU Action against Deforestation and Forest Degradation' published.
24 June
Red II
Review and extending Part A and B Annex IX (first time and then every 2 years).
Q2
sustainability
Publication of European Commission Communication expected.
14 august
Trade policy
EU imposes countervailing duties on Indonesian biodiesel. For the MVO news item click here.
30 october
Trade policy
European Commission and Member States to discuss definitive countervailing duties on biodiesel originating in Indonesia. For the MVO news item click here.
Q4
sustainability
EP response on EC Communcation expected. Action proposal expected.
2020
NL
Target 16.4%
Red I
Commission to realise RED I Targets: at least 20% overall RE and 10% RE in Transport. Click here for a progress report.
NL
Member states need to realise the national overall targets and 10% binding transport target regarding RED I and realise targets regarding the FQD (Fuel Quality Directive): 6% greenhouse gas emision reduction from fuels.
2021
1 January
Red I
European Commission needs to adopt Delegated Act estabilishing minimum treshold greenhouse gas emission savings recycled carbon fuels.
1 January
Red I
Member states need to comply with minimum share RE RED I Target.
Headline
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Nulla volutpat urna quis consequat pellentesque. In mollis interdum placerat. Quisque venenatis, est vel auctor ornare, nisi risus lobortis augue, eget vulputate nibh dolor quis enim. Integer lobortis aliquet velit. Pellentesque dignissim at arcu ut sodales. Praesent ut efficitur mi. Aliquam bibendum congue aliquet. Nullam non diam diam. Aliquam at vestibulum erat. Nunc congue, enim nec sodales convallis, magna risus tristique augue, in maximus ipsum dui nec elit. Duis imperdiet id magna vel varius. Aliquam porttitor fermentum ornare.
In id nunc in turpis lobortis mattis eu sed massa. Pellentesque vel dui vitae felis efficitur maximus. Phasellus eget nibh molestie, semper leo quis, sollicitudin sapien. Vestibulum malesuada suscipit lacus eu imperdiet. Nunc accumsan libero enim, sit amet cursus ex commodo nec. Suspendisse a massa porttitor, eleifend neque in, auctor orci. Proin ut hendrerit nisi. Aliquam metus felis, molestie id dignissim id, aliquam a purus.
References:
Study on The i mpact of EU consumption on deforestation
Feasibility study on options to step up EU action against deforestation (PDF)
31 January
Red I
European Commission needs to adopt implementing acts establishing operational guidance demonstrating compliance.
24 June
Red I
European Commission needs to review and extending Part A and B Annex IX.
Delegated Act
The Delegated Act adopted in 2019 (draft proposal February 8th 2019) defined the criteria for high ILUC-risk biofuels, bioliquids and biomass fuels (“high ILUC-risk fuels”) produced from food or feed crops for which a significant expansion of the production area into land with high carbon stock is observed. To ensure robust and harmonised implementation of the REDII and the Delegated Act, the European Commission will set out further technical details regarding concrete verification and auditing approaches in an Implementing Act in line with Article 30(8) of the REDII. The Commission will adopt this implementing act by 30 June 2021 at the latest. Click here for the report.
30 JUNE
Red II
Member States deadline implemention RED II in national legislation.
The European Commission will adopt an Implementing Act setting out technical details regarding concrete verification and auditing approaches regarding the Delegated Act on high ILUC risk feedstocks.
The Commission shall review the report (Annex) on the status of production expansion of relevant food and feed crops worldwide and, if appropriate, amend the Regulation (2019/807). The revised report shall be submitted to the European Parliament and the Council and become the basis for the application of the criteria set out determining the high indirect land-use change-risk feedstock for which a significant expansion of the production area into land with high carbon stock is observed. The Commission shall review thereafter the data included in the report in light of evolving circumstances and latest available scientific evidence.
31 December
Red II
European Commission needs to adopt Delegated Act on methodology setting out detailed rules for compliance with sustainability criteria.
31 December
Red II
Member States need to take measures to ensure availability of renewable fuels for transport (infrastructure).
2022
Red II
European Commission needs to assess Member States obligations and submit proposal (by 2023) to increase the obligation based on cost reductions or decreased energy consumption.
2023
24 June
Red II
European Commission needs to review and extending Part A and B Annex IX.
1 September
Red II
European Commission needs to review criteria Delegated Act (2019) and adopt new Delegated Act to amend criteria where appropriate and including a trajectory.
31 December
Red II
Start decrease limit biofuels, bioliquids and biomass fuels produced from food and feed crops.
2024
2025
24 June
Red II
European Commission needs to review and extending Part A and B Annex IX.
31 December
Red II
European Commission needs to assess effectivity of obligation advanced biofuels (Annex IX Part A). Propose amendment to the obligation if necessary.
2026
31 December
Red II
European Commission needs to assess effect of criteria minimising risk of using forest biomass derived form unsustainable production and address Land Use, Land-Use Change and Forestry criteria. Propose to amend criteria if necessary.
2027
24 June
Red II
European Commission needs to review and extending Part A and B Annex IX.
2028
2029
24 June
Red II
European Commission needs to review and extending Part A and B Annex IX.
2030
Red II
Realise at least 32% Renewable Energy target.
Red II
Realise the national overall targets and national transport target (at least 14% or at least 7% if lowered due to a lower share of crop based biofuels).
Questions or Feed Back?
Free Trade Agreement EU - Indonesia
In April 2016 the EU and Indonesia launched negotiations for a free trade agreement. Trade and Sustainability provisions for vegetable oils and biodiesel, in particular palm oil based products, form an important element of this trade agreement. In the meantime, parties have held six official rounds of negotiations. The 7th round is scheduled for 11-15 March 2019.