UPM and LSB speak out over finalised REDll policy

The revised Renewable Energy Directive (REDll) policy, first outlined by The European Commission at the end of 2016, has now been officially adopted by the Council of the European Union. Among other things, it has finalised and set a minimum blending mandate for advanced biofuels starting in 2022.

Leaders of Sustainable Biofuels (LSB) has welcomed the revised and final agreement on REDII. The coalition of advanced biofuel technology developers and producers has said that, both European Parliament and Member States agree with the new directive that advanced biofuels have a substantial role to play in achieving the 14% renewable energy use in transport by 2030.

The finalised law contains a mandate to use advanced biofuels with milestones of at least 0.2% in 2002, 1% in 2025 and 3.5% in 2030. LSB says that this step is very much welcomed after years of regulatory uncertainty. It also urges swift implementation and transposition of the Directive and calls upon the Commission to ensure transparency and consistency in the process.     

UPM has also welcomed the finalised agreement. Vice President Sari Mannonen says, “UPM welcomes this agreement as it will further boost interest in the most sustainable biofuels and strengthens the position of advanced low-ILUC fuels.”

Mako Janhunen, Director of public affairs at UPM adds that, “Advanced biofuels are now definitely recognised as a fast-track route to decarbonisation of transport across the EU. Furthermore, the recently published IPCC report highlighted the urgency of decarbonisation actions. We are pleased with the fact that an increasing number of countries are identifying ways to reduce transport emissions and looking at boosting the uptake of advanced biofuels.”