Calls for EU advanced biofuels mandate to begin in 2021

Leaders of Sustainable Biofuels (LSB), a coalition of 12 advanced biofuels producers and technology developers, is calling on EU institutions to set its new advanced biofuels mandate to begin in 2021. According to the coalition, chaired by UPM’s Public Affairs director Marko Janhunen, this move would ensure investor confidence in the sector.

Annex IX part A of the Renewable Energy Directive relates to the mix of renewable fuels in petrol and diesel. According to a LSB statement, the European Commission and European Parliament are ‘aligned’ with the request for the advanced biofuels mandate to come into effect in 2018. However, the European Council is proposing for the mandate to kick off in 2025.

LSB argues that if the Council gets its way, there would be significant political insecurity for sector, jeopardising the swift uptake of advanced biofuels in the EU. Conversely, a binding Annex IX part A based target would “set a strong framework for investments in sustainable, novel and innovative technologies and production facilities.”